Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats (2024)

FAQs

What is a plant that is toxic to dogs and cats? ›

Toxic Plants to Dogs and Cats

Sago Palm. Marijuana. Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia) Bird of Paradise (Crane Flower, Bird's Tongue Flower)

Lilies are at the top of the list of poisonous plants for cats, which also includes Asiatic lilies, Easter lilies, Japanese show lilies, rubrum lilies, stargazer lilies, red lilies, tiger lilies, Western lilies, wood lilies, and daylilies.

Can dogs eat lavender? No, never feed your dog lavender buds or essential oil. They both contain linalool, a compound that is toxic to dogs in large amounts.

While the gel may be good for humans to use, it is definitely not for consumption by dogs. The plant contains a chemical called saponin, which is toxic to animals and children. Ingestion of aloe vera can cause excessive vomiting, severe diarrhea, and low blood sugar.

Azalea, Buttercups, Chrysanthemums, Gardenias, Gladiolas, Hibiscus, Hyacinth, Hydrangeas, Mums, Primroses, Rhododendrons, and Sweet Peas are popular garden items that are poisonous. That's just another good reason to keep your dogs away from your neighbor's award-winning flower bushes.

Aloe vera is a common household plant, not because of its attraction but because of its health benefits. Aloe juice and pulp can be used to treat a variety of conditions in people, but it is highly toxic to cats.

Cats should never consume lavender because it's toxic and can cause nausea and vomiting. Lavender plants contain linalool and linalyl acetate, which are poisons to cats because they can't process these compounds.

Their sweet scent may attract cats over for a taste. Most often find out quickly that the flower is not that yummy, however, a few end up with a penchant for eating the roses. The good news is that roses by themselves are not toxic to cats, says Dr. Maureen K.

What is the deadliest flower on earth? ›

Nerium oleander the sweetly scented killer

The elegant Nerium oleander, the blossoms of which are crimson, magenta or creamy white, is one of the most toxic plants in the world. Every part of the plant, from its stem to its sap, is incredibly poisonous if ingested.

Mangoes. Just like raw cashews, the skin, bark, and leaves of mangoes contain urushiol, the toxin in poison ivy.

Dogs can safely eat one or two fresh, plain mint leaves per day. However, feeding your dog mint leaves in excess may upset their digestive system. Stick to serving them a few small bites of mint occasionally, rather than regularly.

Fresh rosemary is a popular culinary herb that is safe for dogs to consume in small quantities. Adding rosemary to your dog's diet can help support their digestive tract.

So when it comes to the herbs your pet has access to, you want to choose wisely. “Most herbs are toxic to dogs and cats, except for basil,” said George Pisegna, deputy director chief of horticulture at the Horticultural Society of New York.

Do You Know Which Flower is a Potential Danger to Your Cat? The Answer Is: Lilies Lilies are extremely toxic to cats. Any part, even just a leaf or pollen, can cause kidney failure and death.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is an extremely dangerous herb for cats as it can cause cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac failure and death. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is sometimes used as an herbal medicine for people, but it can cause liver damage when given to cats.

What can make a dog suddenly sick? ›

Azalea and Rhododendron: Used in landscaping and found in the wild, the entire genus is extremely dangerous for dogs. Eating even a few leaves can cause serious issues, including vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, paralysis, shock, coma, and death.

Yes, dogs can eat apples. Apples are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber for your dog. They are low in protein and fat, making them the perfect snack for senior dogs. Just be sure to remove the seeds and core first.

Spider Plant. Chlorophytum comosum, commonly referred to as Spider Plants, are safe for dogs and probably one of the most widely recognized houseplants. Boston Ferns. Nephrolepis exaltata, an evergreen that can grow up to 5 feet, is a snuggly and safe plant for pets.

Almonds are a great snack for humans. But, can dogs eat almonds? The answer is no. While almonds might not be as as toxic as some nuts, they are one of those foods canine companions can't digest as easily as people.

Dogs can eat tomatoes but only in small amounts. Ripe tomatoes are considered nontoxic to dogs and can be fed in moderation as an occasional snack.

The Good News: Roses Aren't Toxic. Roses are non-toxic to pets, making them a fairly good option for landscaping for pet owners. They're a good option for cut flowers inside, as well, since they won't hurt your indoor pet if they consume any fallen pedals.

Some poisonous weeds include Datura stramonium, also known as Jimsonweed, Devil's Trompet, Thorn Apple, Indian Apple, Black Datura, Tolguacha, and Jamestown Weed. A more commonly known weed is milkweed, which is found in North America.

Basil is one of the most widely grown herbs safe for cats. As any cat owner knows, they love to chew on whatever they can get their teeth on, and basil is a chewy leaf that is good for them.

Cactus are not toxic if consumed, but their sharp spines make them hazardous to pets all the same. Take particular care with members of the Opuntia (Prickly Pear) genus. They don't always have long spines, but they do have tiny, barbed glochids.

Is Spider plant toxic to cats? ›

According to both the ASPCA and the National Capital Poison Center, aka Poison Control, spider plants are non-toxic to both cats and dogs.

Rosemary is not toxic to cats, and if taken in small amount won't cause any trouble. Rosemary is excluded from the list of poisonous plants for cats and dogs by American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Sunflowers are also generally considered non-toxic for cats, but veterinarians say they may cause minor stomach upset or vomiting if ingested.

Many liquid potpourri products and essential oils, including oil of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang, are poisonous to cats.

BABY'S BREATH

Only mildly toxic, ingestion can still lead to vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and lethargy in your cat.

Lauren Cline, DVM, of Queen City Animal Hospital in Charlotte, N.C., says one or two blossoms probably won't be a big deal because daisies aren't as toxic to cats as some other flowers. But "these flowers can still trigger gastrointestinal issues, like vomiting, diarrhea, and hypersalivation," she adds.

The plant: Snake plant

However, it's toxic to cats, warns the ASCPA. Snake plants contain chemical compounds called saponins, which result in feline nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if consumed or chewed on.

Chrysanthemums

Asian countries see white chrysanthemums as a symbol of grief, whereas European countries view this flower as a symbol of death and only use them for memorial services or graves. In the United States, chrysanthemums are typically viewed as lighthearted flowers that honor the life of the lost loved one.

What is the number 1 toxic vegetable? ›

Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, a chemical that can cause death if a human consumes between 5.7 and 11.7 pounds of rhubarb leaves, depending on the specific leaves and the individual's weight, according to Healthline.

Yucca. One word: Cyanide! This root vegetable, a staple of South American cuisine, is packed with vitamins and minerals. But it's also hiding a sneaky, potentially lethal ingredient.

Nope! Banana peels are totally edible, if prepared correctly. Bananas are known for their high potassium content, with each medium fruit containing a whopping 422 milligrams. The peel contains an additional 78 milligrams of potassium, plus plenty of filling fiber.

The oleander, also known as laurel of flower or trinitaria, is a shrub plant (of Mediterranean origin and therefore, resistant to droughts) with intensely green leaves and whose leaves, flowers, stems, branches and seeds are all highly poisonous, hence it is also known as "the most poisonous plant in the world".

Oleander. Native to Europe and Asia, but planted worldwide in ornamental gardens, oleander is at the top of our list of deadly flowers. It's popular as a backyard plant for good reason. It grows as an evergreen shrub and decorates itself with showy flowers and fruits, not to mention it's extremely hearty.

Are Roses Poisonous? All parts of the rose, from the blossom to the leaves are non toxic to humans and safe to consume. Careful of the thorns on rose shrubs as they can easily scratch or poke you, causing minor skin irritations.

However, some can cause much more serious symptoms in your pet – these include: Autumn Crocus, Azalea/Rhododendron, Cotoneaster, Cordyline/Dracaena, Daffodil, Dumbcane, Horse Chestnut, Oak, Peace Lilies, Potato plants and Yew. There's also a few plants in particular that can be highly toxic, or even life threatening.

What is in my garden that can make my dog sick? ›

Compost/mouldy foods. Mouldy foods can contain lots of different toxins and, if eaten, may make your dog ill. One particular substance, which is mostly found on mouldy dairy products, bread and nuts, can cause dogs to quickly develop muscle tremors and seizures, which may last for up to two days.

Although considered a medicinal plant for humans, aloe vera's level of toxicity is mild to moderate for cats and dogs. Vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, depression, anorexia, tremors, change in urine colour. Chinese evergreen's level of toxicity is mild to moderate, though symptoms can include liver and kidney damage.

The most common toxic indoor plants are dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane), philodendron (Philodendron), and aloe vera (Aloe Vera). These plants contain a chemical called calcium oxalate raphides or “raphides,” which can cause mouth, throat, nose, eyes, and skin irritation in humans.

Dogs can safely eat one or two fresh, plain mint leaves per day. However, feeding your dog mint leaves in excess may upset their digestive system. Stick to serving them a few small bites of mint occasionally, rather than regularly.

Horse Chestnut (Buckeye): This tree contains saponin, which causes vomiting and diarrhea, dilated pupils, affects the central nervous system, and can also lead to convulsions and coma. Japanese Yew: All varieties, from the dwarf to the giant trees, contain dangerous toxins that can be fatal to dogs.

So when it comes to the herbs your pet has access to, you want to choose wisely. “Most herbs are toxic to dogs and cats, except for basil,” said George Pisegna, deputy director chief of horticulture at the Horticultural Society of New York.

Azalea, Buttercups, Chrysanthemums, Gardenias, Gladiolas, Hibiscus, Hyacinth, Hydrangeas, Mums, Primroses, Rhododendrons, and Sweet Peas are popular garden items that are poisonous. That's just another good reason to keep your dogs away from your neighbor's award-winning flower bushes.

The Good News: Roses Aren't Toxic. Roses are non-toxic to pets, making them a fairly good option for landscaping for pet owners. They're a good option for cut flowers inside, as well, since they won't hurt your indoor pet if they consume any fallen pedals.

In most cases, hibiscus is non-toxic for pets, but the Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a type of hibiscus that can be harmful to your furry friend. If a dog ingests a significant amount of this hibiscus' flower, they can experience nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Some poisonous weeds include Datura stramonium, also known as Jimsonweed, Devil's Trompet, Thorn Apple, Indian Apple, Black Datura, Tolguacha, and Jamestown Weed. A more commonly known weed is milkweed, which is found in North America.

Are tomato plants toxic to dogs? ›

Tomato Plants

The tomato plant's leaves and stems contain solanine. This substance is toxic to both dogs and cats. If pets eat a tomato plant's greenery then they might suffer from nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and lethargy.