Plants That Are Toxic To Dogs

Diamond's Friends Pet Rescue
Jun 16
5 min read

Before you bring home a new dog, you’ll want to evaluate what plants you have both inside of your home and out. Dogs are known for chewing on and eating things they shouldn’t, and the last thing you want is an emergency trip to the vet.

Here's a list of plants that are toxic to dogs, organized by type for easier reference. We’ve also linked to the ASPCA Poison Control Center info on each plant so you can see a photo and additional information for reference.

DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a comprehensive list of all plants that are toxic to dogs. These are some of the most common ones you may encounter. For a full list of 415 toxic plants, please visit ASPCA Animal Poison Control.

Highly Toxic Plants To Avoid at All Costs

If you only read one section of this article, this one should be it. These plants are particularly dangerous and can be fatal, even in small amounts:

Autumn Crocus: Vomiting, shock, multi-organ damage, potentially fatal
Azaleas: Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure
Castor Bean: Convulsions, kidney failure, potentially fatal
Foxglove: Heart arrhythmia, cardiac failure, potential death
Larkspur – Muscle tremors, weakness, cardiac failure, and possible respiratory paralysis resulting in death
Laurel: Digestive upset, difficulty breathing, heart issues, possible death
Marijuana (Cannabis): Incoordination, low blood pressure, seizures, coma, death (rare but possible)
Mushrooms (wild varieties): Symptoms vary, but some certain mushrooms can be fatal if ingested
Oleander: Abdominal pain, depression, diarrhea, potentially fatal
Pieris: Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, cardiovascular collapse, potential death
Sago Palm: Vomiting, liver failure, death
Yew: Sudden death

Learn More: How To Dog-Proof Your Home

Common Flowering Plants

Whether inside in a vase or outside in your yard, nothing adds a pop of color quite like a flower. Unfortunately, some of the most common flowering plants can be toxic to dogs.

It’s best to remove these from your yard or, if you have them inside, keep them out of reach of your dog:

Autumn Crocus: Vomiting, shock, multi-organ damage, potentially fatal
Azaleas: Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure
Chrysanthemums: Vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, incoordination
Daffodils: Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, possible convulsions, cardiac arrhythmia
Foxglove: Heart arrhythmia, cardiac failure, potential death
Hyacinths: Vomiting, diarrhea, tremors
Larkspur: Muscle tremors, weakness, cardiac failure, and possible respiratory paralysis resulting in death
Lilies: Gastrointestinal upset
Marijuana (Cannabis): Incoordination, low blood pressure, seizures, coma, death (rare but possible)
Oleander: Abdominal pain, depression, diarrhea, potentially fatal
Peony: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression
Tulips: Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, depression

Houseplants

Bringing the outdoors inside can make your home feel fresher and less stuffy. However, it can also put your dog at risk.

If you have any of the following plants in your home, either remove them or put them up high out of your dog’s reach:

Aloe Vera: Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy
Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane): Oral swelling, burning, difficulty swallowing
Philodendron: Irritation of mouth, tongue, and lips, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Oral irritation, intense burning, drooling, vomiting
Snake Plant (Sansevieria): Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica): Gastrointestinal upset
Sago Palm: Vomiting, liver failure, death
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): Gastrointestinal upset (Note: The ASPCA Poison Control Center does not include ZZ Plants in their plant database)

Outdoor Trees & Shrubs

Certain trees and shrubs can pose significant dangers to your dogs. Remove or monitor your dog if you have any of the following in your yard:

Boxwood: Vomiting, diarrhea
English Ivy: Vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation
Pieris: Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, cardiovascular collapse, potential death
Laurel: Digestive upset, difficulty breathing, heart issues, possible death
Yew: Sudden death

Herbs, Vegetables, and Garden Plants

If you like to garden and you grow any of the following, make sure you put a fence or some sort of barrier around your garden so that your dog can’t get in:

Chives and Leeks: Damage to red blood cells leading to anemia, vomiting
Garlic and Onion (all forms): Similar effects as chives and leeks
Mushrooms (wild varieties): Symptoms vary, but some certain mushrooms can be fatal if ingested
Raw legumes (like kidney beans): Vomiting, diarrhea
Raw potatoes (especially green or sprouted): Nausea, neurological symptoms
Rhubarb: Kidney failure, tremors
Tomato plant: Weakness, confusion, slow heart rate

Learn More: Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs

Cacti and Succulents

If you live in the desert or a location where water conservation is key, you likely have succulents somewhere on your property. Consequently, you’ll want to either remove or monitor your dog closely around:

Euphorbia species (like Pencil Cactus): Mouth and stomach irritation
Jade Plant (Crassula): Vomiting, depression, coordination problems
Kalanchoe: Vomiting, diarrhea, and potential abnormal heart rhythms

Tropical & Exotic Plants

Nothing beats having a slice of paradise in your home or yard. However, certain tropical and exotic plants may be dangerous to your pet.

It’s best to either remove or watch your dog like a hawk around:

Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia): Vomiting, seizures, paralysis (Note: The ASPCA Poison Control Center does not include Angel’s Trumpet in their plant database)
Bird of Paradise: Mild nausea, vomiting, drowsiness
Castor Bean: Convulsions, kidney failure, potentially fatal
Croton: Skin and gastrointestinal irritation, eye irritation (Note: The ASPCA Poison Control Center does not include Croton in their plant database)
Plumeria: Excessive salivation, GI issues (Note: The ASPCA Poison Control Center does not include Plumerias in their plant database)

What To Do if Your Dog Eats a Toxic Plant

If your dog eats a toxic plant, don’t panic, but do move quickly. Time can be of the essence, depending on what they ate.

Calmly do the following:

Identify the plant (a photo can help).
Call your veterinarian immediately.
Contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 (available 24/7 – fees may apply).
Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a professional.
Transport your dog to the closest veterinarian or emergency vet.

Final Thoughts

Dogs and plants can exist under the same roof (or in the same yard). However, it’s important to make sure that the plants you bring into your dog’s living space are not toxic.

While that will limit your plant options, your dog will undoubtedly give you more love and joy than a plant ever could. So, get rid of any plants that may pose a danger to your dog.

Then, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with sharing a safe home and yard with your pup!