15 Plants Toxic to Dogs [With Photos] (2024)

When pet parents think of what can be poisonous to their dogs, the things that come to mind are usually chocolate, grapes, antifreeze – the usual suspects. However, it’s easy to overlook commonplace items like the plants we use to spruce up a room or cultivate a vibrant yard.

While certain plants can be aesthetically pleasing, they can also cause a whole bunch of problems if your dog chows down on them. That’s why it’s essential for pet parents to know which indoor plants are toxic to dogs, in addition to outdoor plants as well.

Toxic Plants

While this certainly isn’t an exhaustive list of toxic plants for dogs, the following are some of the more common toxic plants that may be around our homes or found in the yard:

For a more complete list of plants that are toxic to dogs, check out this list compiled by our strategic partner The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®).

Symptoms

If your pal consumes something poisonous, a plant or other hazardous material, there are some telltale signs, as noted above, that will alert pet parents. Common symptoms of poison consumption include:

• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Drooling
• Nausea

Severe symptoms often include:

• Agitation
• Extreme sedation
• Seizures
• Coma

What You Should Do

If you believe your dog has consumed a poisonous plant – or anything poisonous for that matter – contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately. It can be helpful to the veterinarian if you know or can identify the plant your pooch ingested. If your dog vomited, bringing a sample with you may be beneficial for testing, analysis, and for determining the proper treatment.

While you are on your way to the veterinarian or emergency clinic, consider contacting the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 for more information from poison control experts. The center offers a 24-hour emergency hotline.

Treatment

Depending on the situation, treatment can go in a few different directions. While this can certainly be a scary situation, it’s in your – and your pooch’s – best interest to be calm and collected. If you act frantic or extremely distressed, it can have an adverse effect on your buddy.

Here are a few tips in case your dog eats a poisonous plant:

1. Contact the vet immediately, as your dog may need to have their stomach pumped or to receive activated charcoal to bind the toxins
2. Do not induce vomiting unless it’s recommended by your vet (vomiting can exacerbate the problem)
3. Perform CPR if your dog is not breathing

Prevention

The simple way to prevent pets from getting into poisonous plants is to keep the toxic ones out of your house and yard. However, even for the most vigilant pet parents, that can be easier said than done.

Poisonous plants can find their way into our homes in bouquets and other floral gifts that often include baby’s breath. The tiny decorative flower, if eaten by a curious canine, can cause tummy troubles. So even when you’ve been extra careful, you can still bring hazards into the home with something as seemingly innocuous as a flower arrangement.

It’s also important to know what’s growing in your yard and to plan your landscaping accordingly.

To help keep your best pal away from poisonous plants, you can also consider:

• Pet-proofing your home by keeping any problem plants out of paw’s reach
• Limiting their access to the areas where you keep your plants
• Fencing off your landscaping and flower gardens
• Decorating with non-toxic or artificial plants

There is no surefire way to prevent all accidents and illnesses when it comes to our pets and the troubles they can get into. This is why taking some precautionary measures and knowing what to do in an emergency is highly recommended for dog parents. By preparing yourself ahead of time, you will be more likely to remain cool, calm, and collected if an incident ever were to occur.

_{The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.}