It's National Dog Day! Which Plants are Toxic to Dogs?
Keep Your Dog Safe Inside and Outside of the Home
Common houseplants, garden plants, weeds, and and wild plants for dog owners to avoid.
Man's best friend brings boundless joy, enthusiasm, loyalty and companionship into our lives. As we strive to create a safe and harmonious environment for our beloved dogs, it's crucial to be aware of some potential hazards that often go unnoticed – the presence of toxic plants, both inside and outside the home, that can pose serious risks to our canine companions when ingested. Read on to find out which plants dog owners should avoid.
Why is My Dog Eating My Plants?
Dogs are known to explore their surroundings through their senses, and some plants smell and taste great! This exploratory behavior might lead them to sample different plants out of curiosity. Some dogs may resort to eating plants as a response to dietary deficiencies, if their nutritional needs are not being adequately met, or to alleviate nausea and stomach upset. Dogs might also chew on plants as a means of alleviating boredom or anxiety, similar to how humans might engage in certain behaviors for comfort.
Poisonous plants can have a range of adverse effects on dogs when ingested. The specific reactions depend on the plant species and the amount consumed, but some common symptoms and consequences include:
Gastrointestinal distress - nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea
Neurological symptoms - seizures, tremors, disorientation
Cardiovascular problems - irregular heartbeat and changes in heart rate
Organ damage
Respiratory distress - breathing difficulties and coughing
Skin irritation, hives, itching
Lethargy
Death - in severe cases
It's important to note that some plants are only mildly toxic and might cause minor discomfort, while others can be highly poisonous and lead to serious health consequences.
These lists cover some of the most common houseplants, garden plants, and weeds known to be toxic to dogs and are not all-inclusive. If you have dogs, it's best to either avoid having these plants altogether or keep them out of reach in a place where your canine friends cannot access them. If you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic plant, seek immediate veterinary care. For more information, visit the ASPCA website or the Pet Poison Hotline.
Which Houseplants are Toxic to Dogs?
Aglaonema (Chinese evergreen)
Alocasia (elephant ears)
Aloe vera
Asparagus fern
Azalea
Begonia
Bird of paradise
Caladium
Carnations
Chinaberry tree
Chrysanthemum
Cyclamen
Desert rose (Adenium)
Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)
Dracaena (Including corn plant)
Euphorbia (including pencil cactus)
Ficus (fig)
Gardenia
Hellebore
Ivy
Jade (Crassula)
Jerusalem cherry
Kalanchoe
Lavender
Lemon tree
Lily (Including peace lily and Easter lily)
Lime tree
Marijuana
Mint
Mistletoe
Monstera
Narcissus (Including daffodils, jonquils, and paperwhites)
Oregano
Ornamental pepper
Oxalis (shamrock plant)
Panda plant succulent
Philodendron
Poinsettia
Pothos
Sago palm
Sansaveria (snake lant; Mother-in-Law’s tongue)
Schefflera
String of dolphins
String of pearls
ZZ plant
If you believe that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, quick action is critical. Contact your vet or an emergency vet clinic immediately.
It's not only decorative garden plants that can pose a danger to dogs; be cautious of harmful weeds as well.
Many dogs spend time outside, unsupervised, in fenced-in back yards or dog runs, and certain common garden plants and weeds can pose a threat. These plants may appear harmless, yet they contain compounds that are harmful or even deadly when ingested by canines. Dog owners should be vigilant about identifying and removing such plants from their yards to ensure the safety and well-being of their canine companions.
If you need help identifying outdoor plants, using plant identification apps or local online resources specific to your region can help you. The Pl@ntNet and PictureThis apps can help with the process of identifying plants and weeds growing in your yard.
Which Common Garden Plants are Toxic or Poisonous to Dogs?
Allium species (onions, garlic, chives, leeks)
Arum
Autumn crocus
Azalea
Begonia
Black walnut (Juglans nigra)
Bleeding hearts (Dicentra species)
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Bluebells (Hyacinthoides species)
Borage (Borago officinalis)
Boxwood (Buxus species)
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Carnations and pinks, including sweet William (Dianthus species)
Castor oil plant (Ricinus communis)
Chamomile (Anthemis mobilis)
Cherry trees and shrubs (Prunus species)
Chinaberry tree (Melia azedarach)
Clematis
Coleus
Cotoneaster
Chrysanthemum
Citrus trees
Dahlia
Delphinium (larkspur)
Euphorbia
Foxgloves (Digitalis)
Fruit trees (apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, and plums)
Gardenia
Geranium (Pelargonium)
Grape vines and fruits (Vitis vinifera)
Hellebore
Hops (Humulus lupulus)
Holly
Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Hosta
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Iris
Ivy (Hedera helix)
Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum)
Laburnum (golden chain tree)
Lantana
Lavender
Lemon Grass
Lemon Verbena
Leucothoe (dog hobble)
Lilies - including Asiatic, day, tiger, and rose lilies
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
Locust (Robinia species)
Marjoram
Milkweed (Asclepias species)
Mint (Mentha)
Morning Glory
Mountain laurel (Kalmia species)
Narcissus (Including daffodils, jonquils, and paperwhites)
Nandina (Heavenly bamboo)
Nicotiana
Oak (the acorns are toxic; however, it takes 20-50 years for a tree to begin producing acorns)
Oleander
Oregano
Peony
Portulaca (Purslane)
Potato plants (Solanum tuberosum)
Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
Privet (Ligustrum japonicum)
Rhododendron
Rhubarb (Rheum species)
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum)
Tarragon
Tomato
Tulips
Wisteria
Yew (Taxus and Cephalotaxus species)
Which Common Weeds and Wild Plants are Toxic to Dogs?
Allium species (onions, garlic, chives, leeks)
Bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)
Buttercup (Ranunculus species)
Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
Castor oil plant (Ricinus communis)
Creeping charlie ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea)
Flea bane daisy (Erigeron speciosus)
Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
Groundsel (Senecio species)
Hickory - nuts are toxic (Carya species)
Holly (Ilex species)
Iris species
Ivy (Hedera helix)
Jimson weed (Datura stramonium)
Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense)
May apple (Podophyllum peltatum)
Meadow death camas (Zigadenus venenosus)
Mushrooms (it’s best to remove any mushrooms you cannot ID as safe)
Oak - acorns are toxic (Quercus species)
Pigweed (Amaranthus species)
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)
Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)
Rhubarb (Rheum species)
Skunk weed (Symplocarpus foetidus)
Stinging nettles (Urtica species)
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
Vinca species
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus qinquefolia)
And don’t forget our feline friends…for a list of cat-friendly plants and plants that are toxic to cats, click here.