List of Poisonous Plants for Cats and Dogs
Did you know that there are actually over 700 plants that can be poisonous or toxic to your pet?' That size of a number seems almost incomprehensible and makes you wonder if there are actually any plants left over that are NOT poisonous to animals!
The list included here cannot possibly begin to cover every single poisonous plant in existence, and it should also be said that some of these plants are much more toxic than others are. It is important to use your best judgment when determining whether or not these plants should remain in your home or garden. Consider your personal situation and the normal behavior of your pets. If you keep any of these plants in areas that cannot be accessed by your pet, or if you have a pet that has never bothered with getting into your plants in the past, then it is likely you shouldnt have a problem with keeping those particular species of plants in a home with pets.
The most important thing for you do to when assessing your current plant situation, is to dig a little bit deeper and find out exactly how toxic certain plants can be and how they can affect your animal.
Lets begin by looking at a list of the 10 Most Common Poisonous Plants
Marijuana Animals who attempt to snack on this plant can suffer serious consequences such as diarrhea, vomiting, increased heart rate, drooling, in-coordination, and even possibly seizures and coma.
Sago Palm While the seeds and nuts of this plant are most poisonous, the entire plant is toxic. Animals ingesting parts of this plant may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, depression, seizures and liver failure.
Lilies Plants of the lily variety are very poisonous to cats. Even very small amounts of this plant could cause serious kidney damage.
Tulips The toxic portion of this plant is the actual bulb, which can cause drooling, central nervous system depression, gastrointestinal irritation, cardiac issues and convulsions.
Azalea The toxins in azalea plants can be very severe and potentially cause drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, central nervous system weakening and depression, and in some cases possibly coma or death.
Oleander All portions of this plant are poisonous and can cause gastrointestinal irritation, hypothermia, heart problems and possibly death.
Castor Bean Poisoning as a result of this plant can cause abdominal pain, drooling, diarrhea, vomiting increased thirst, loss of appetite and weakness. More serious cases could also lead to dehydration, tremors, seizures, twitching muscles, coma and possibly death.
Cyclamen The most poisonous portion of this plant is located in the root. Ingestion of the plant can cause severe vomiting and gastrointestinal irritation. In some cases death has been reported as a result.
Kalanchoe Ingestion of this plant can cause gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac rhythm and rate problems.
Yew Poisoning as a result of the yew plant can affect the nervous system and cause in-coordination, trembling and breathing difficulties. It may also result in gastrointestinal irritation, cardiac failure and could possibly lead to death.
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The following is a list containing many other well-known and common plants that can be poisonous or toxic to pets.
Aconite Is a garden flower whose roots, foliage and seeds can be poisonous.
Apple The seeds of an apple can be poisonous to pets.
Arrowgrasses These are marsh type plants whose leaves contain poisons.
Atropa Belladonna This is a type of garden herb in which the entire plant can be poisonous to pets, especially its seeds and roots.
Autumn Crocus This is a commonly found garden flower in which the entire plant can be poisonous.
Baneberry - This is a wildflower whose berries and roots are the poisonous portions.
Bird of Paradise This is a garden flower whose pods are poisonous.
Black Locust This is a tree in which the entire plant can be poisonous, especially the bark and shoots.
Bloodroot Is a wildflower and herb whose stem and roots are most poisonous, however the entire plant is toxic.
Box Is an ornamental shrub that is poisonous in its entirety, but especially the leaves.
Buckeye This is a tree whose sprouts, nuts and seeds contain poisons.
Buttercup This is a wildflower and garden herb that is poisonous in its entirety but mostly in the leaves.
Caladium Is a houseplant that is poisonous in its entirety.
Carolina Jessamine This is an ornamental plant whose flowers and leaves contain poisons.
Chinaberry Tree Is a tree whose berries are poisonous.
Chockcherries This is a wild shrub whose poisonous parts include the leaves, cherries and pit.
Christmas Rose Is a garden flower that contains toxic leaves and rootstock.
Common Privet Is an ornamental shrub whose leaves and berries can be poisonous.
Corn Cockle Is a wildflower and weed whose seeds are particularly poisonous.
Cowbane This is a wildflower and herb that is poisonous in its entirety, especially the roots.
Cow Cockle Is a wildflower and weed whose seeds are poisonous.
Cowslip Is a wildflower and herb whose entire plant is poisonous, especially the leaves and stem.
Daffodil Is a garden flower whose bulbs are poisonous.
Daphne This is an ornamental shrub that contains poisonous bark, berries and leaves.
Death Camas This is a field herb whose poisonous parts include the leaves, stems, seeds and flowers.
Delphinium Is a wildflower that is poisonous in its entirety, especially the sprouts.
Dumbcane This is a houseplant and is poisonous in its entirety.
Dutchmans Breeches Is a wild and garden flower whose roots and foliage are poisonous.
Elderberry Is a tree whose poisonous parts include the leaves, bark, roots and buds.
Elephants Ear This is a houseplant poisonous in its entirety.
English Ivy Is an ornamental vine that is completely poisonous but especially the leaves and berries.
European Bittersweet This is a vine poisonous in its entirety but especially in the berries.
False Flax Is a wild herb whose seeds are poisonous.
False Hellebore Is an ornamental flower whose roots, leaves and seeds are toxic.
Fan Weed This is a wildflower and herb whose seeds are poisonous.
Field Peppergrass Is a wildflower and herb that contains poisonous seeds.
Flax Is a wildflower and herb whose seedpods contain poisons.
Foxglove This is a wild and garden flower whose leaves are poisonous.
Holly Is a shrub containing poisonous berries.
Horsechestnut Is a tree containing poisonous nuts and sprouts.
Horse Nettle Is a wildflower and herb poisonous in its entirety, especially the berries.
Hyacinth This is a wild and houseplant whose bulbs are poisonous.
Iris Is a wild and garden flower whose leaves and roots are poisonous.
Jack-in-the-Pulpit Is a wildflower that is entirely poisonous, especially the leaves and roots.
Jatropha This is a tree and shrub whose seeds are poisonous.
Jerusalem Cherry Is an ornamental plant whose un-ripened fruit and foliage are poisonous.
Jimsonweed Is a field plant that is entirely poisonous, especially the seeds.
Laburum Is an ornamental plant whose seeds, pods and flowers can be poisonous.
Lantana Is a houseplant whose foliage is poisonous.
Larkspur Is a wildflower that is poisonous only as a young plant.
Laurels This is a type of shrub with poisonous leaves.
Lupines Is a shrub whose seeds and pods are poisonous.
Manchineel Tree A tree containing poisonous sap and fruit.
Matrimony Vine An ornamental vine containing poisonous leaves and shoots.
Mayapple A wildflower poisonous in the form of its un-ripened fruit as well as the foliage and roots.
Milk Vetch A wildflower poisonous in its entirety.
Mistletoe A houseplant with poisonous berries.
Monkshood A wildflower poisonous in its entirety, especially the roots and seeds.
Moodseed A vine whose fruit and roots are poisonous.
Morning Glory Is a wildflower containing poisonous seeds and roots.
Mountain Mahogany Is a shrub with poisonous leaves.
Mustards These are wildflowers whose seeds can be poisonous.
Narcissus This is a garden flower whose bulbs contain poisons.
Nicotiana Is a garden flower whose leaves are poisonous.
Nightshade Is a wildflower and vine with poisonous leaves and berries.
Oaks Are trees with poisonous leaves and shoots.
Philodendrons Are houseplants poisonous in their entirety.
Pokeweed Is a field plant containing poisonous roots, seeds and berries.
Poinsettia Is a houseplant with poisonous leaves, flowers and stems.
Poison Hemlock This is a field plant containing poisonous leaves, stems and fruit.
Potato A garden plant whose shoots and sprouts can be poisonous.
Rattle Box Is a wildflower that is entirely poisonous.
Rhododendron Is an ornamental shrub whose leaves are poisonous.
Rhubarb A garden plant with poisonous leaves.
Rosary Pea Is a houseplant whose seeds are poisonous.
Skunk Cabbage This is a marsh plant whose entire plant is poisonous but especially the roots and leaves.
Smart Weeds Are wildflowers containing poisonous sap.
Snow-on-the-Mountain This is a wildflower whose sap is poisonous.
Sorghum Is a type of grass whose leaves are poisonous.
Star of Bethlehem Is a wildflower poisonous in its entirety.
Velvet Grass A variety of grass whose leaves are poisonous.
Wild Black Cherry Is a tree with poisonous leaves and pits.
Wild Radish A wildflower with poisonous seeds.
Wisteria Is an ornamental plant containing poisonous seeds and pods.
Woody Aster A wildflower whose entire plant is poisonous.
Yellow Jessamine An ornamental vine that is entirely poisonous.
Yellow Pine Flax A wildflower poisonous in its entirety but especially in the seedpods.
NOTE: If you suspect that your pet has been poisoned, contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. This is 24 hour a day hotline. (Note that in some cases a consultation fee may be charged to your credit card.)
This list has been compiled using the following sources
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Toronto Humane Society
St. Johns Poison Resource Center
Humane Society of the United States
| QUESTIONS & ANSWERS |
| DECORATIVE GRASSES |
| MINIATURE ROSES |
| READER FEEDBACK |
| REMEDIES TO CURE POISONING IN DOGS |
| TEA TREE OIL |
1 WARNING!
[WARNING!] 07/07/2008: Debra from Union, NE writes: "Poisonous Plants to Dogs:
Since ponds have become so popular, I'm trying to find a list of decorative grasses that can be used around dogs. My neighbor's 2 bichon puppies became very ill from chewing on one of the following plants: Feather Reed, Miscanthus, Blue Oat, Big Twister, Bee Balm, & Japanese Blood Grass. I've been trying to get info on these plants & have become frustrated trying to find a straight forward simple answer. And for any plant nurseries out there - you should have a list available to all of your customers & ask if they have pets BEFORE you recommend plants.
Thanks for any information you can share with me."
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[YEA] 04/24/2007: Tracey from Houston, Texas writes: "To Cat Lovers, Our newly kitten ate rose petals from my potted miniature rose bush and started coughing up blood non stop. We rushed him to the emergency room and the doctor stated the petals were eating away his stomach lining. Luckily, they pumped his stomach and were able to treat him back to health. My cat spent 48 hours in the hospital w/ an iv and $1200 later was able to come home. I do not see roses listed on any site as poisonous. They are highly toxic. Please add roses to your list so more cat lovers will know. Thanks!"
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[YEA] 05/21/2007: Sherri (watsons2@hotmail.com) from Mohave Valley, Arizona writes: "Please add to your list of poisonous plants the following: Ferns, Asparagus Fern, Austalia Nut, Emerald Feather (aka Emerald Fern), Lace Fern, Plumosa Fern. I am a veterinary technician in Mohave Valley, Arizona. We recently had a 4 month old puppy in that had ingested Asparagus Fern from the family indoor garden. This puppy became quite ill. These are listed as toxic plants at: housepetmagazine.com/poisonous_plants_dogs.htm. This puppy was presented to us with vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. a blood chemistry profile indicated an elevated ALT. The puppy is still recovering. It is still unknown if there will be lasting damage to the liver. Sincerely"
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REMEDIES TO CURE POISONING IN DOGS
[YEA] 01/27/2008: Wayne from palm springs, california writes: "Hydrogen peroxide. For a dog that has ingested a poisonous substance where vomiting will be the solution to expel the toxin, put 1 tsp' [3%] HP in the mouth. Take the dog OUTSIDE and throw a pinch of salt in its mouth. The entire contents of the stomach will be immediately expelled."
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[YEA] 06/13/2007: Angela (kentuckyladya@yahoo.com) from Leitchfeld, kentucky writes: "re: curing poisioning and stomach toxins: I had a full size male doberman pinscher, was poisoned with antifreeze. Tried to take him to the vet, and would not take him said there was nothing they could do. Well being he was my baby i didn't give up. Someone told me to cook bacon, take the grease, a raw egg, and a lemon lime soda, mix it together and force him to eat it, granted he threw up alot, it was bright neon green, but i kept feeding it to him until it was no longer green, then feed him pedialight for dehydration, he lived and is fine today, it seems to force any toxin that is in their system out."
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[YEA] 03/31/2007: Christine from Cairo, Egypt writes: "Ditto the comment on tea tree oil for dogs. In frustration I used a direct tea tree oil on my pyrenees for fleas. It actually paralyzed his motor functions. I thought he might die before I got him to the vet."
EC: We have used Tea Tree oil on our dogs many times for years without any issues or side effects.
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[YEA] 08/08/2006: S from Wichita, KS writes: "RE: Tea tree oil Tea tree oil is toxic to cats! Cats have died just from being bathed with it."
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