IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR DOG ATE SOMETHING POISONOUS, STOP READING THIS AND CONTACT YOUR VET NOW! If you can’t reach your vet, contact the emergency vet or poison control for dogs. You can reach the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661.
Some common household plants can be lethal to our furry companions. Find out which plants are harmful to have around your dog before it’s too late. If you have any of these toxic plants in your home, be proactive and immediately get rid of them. It could save your dog’s life.
Pet Poison Statistics
Pet poisoning from plants is a problem. A study on pet-safe plants done by Honest Paws revealed that:
- Toxic plants poison 14,000 pets every year, according to Honest Paws.
- In 2023, the ASPCA‘s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) received more than 351,000 calls about hazardous household items. Plant poisoning is the 6th most reported pet toxin, accounting for 8.1% of all poison incidents in 2023, up from 8th place and 6% in previous years.
Plants & Flowers Poisonous To Dogs
The following plants and flowers shouldn’t be around dogs because of the side effects they cause. Some can be lethal, so be cautious and remove these plants from your home and keep them out of your flower beds and garden to keep your dog safe. The level of toxicity depends on the amount ingested and your pet’s size.
- Angel’s Trumpet
- Aloe Vera (Succulent)
- Autumn Crocus*
- Avocados
- Azalea*
- Baby’s Breath
- Begonia
- Calla Lily
- Chrysanthemum
- Citronella
- Daffodil
- Day Lily
- Easter Lily
- Elephant’s Ear
- Euphorbias (Succulent)
- Foxglove*
- Garlic
- Geranium
- Hyacinth*
- Grapes
- Hydrangea*
- Indian Rubber Tree (aka Weeping Fig Tree)
- Jade (Succulent)
- Japanese Pieris*
- Japanese Rubber Plant (aka Jade Plant)
- Kalanchoes (Succulent)
- Larkspur
- Lily of the Valley*
- Lupine
- Monkshood*
- Morning Glory
- Onions
- Peonie
- Rhododendron*
- Rhubarb (leaves)
- Sago Palm
- Shamrock Plants
- Silver Dollar (Succulent)
- Snake Plants
- Tiger Lily
- Tomato Plants (leaves and green tomatoes)
- Tulip
- Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
- Yew*
- Yucca Plants
*Cardiotoxic plants pose the highest risk to your pet because they cause the heart to weaken.
NOTE: This list is not fully comprehensive but includes some of the most common garden plants.
Plants & Flowers Safe For Dogs
The following plants and flowers are generally safe for dogs to be around, but we suggest speaking with your vet about them before you include them in and around your home.
Plants and Flowers:
African Violet
Aster
Bamboo
Cock’s Comb
Dandelion
Impatiens
Jasmine
Marigold
Orchids
Petunia
Ponytail Palm
Roses
Spider Plants
Sunflower
Transvaal Daisy
Wild Hyacinth
Zinnia
Succulents:
Blue Echeveria
Burro’s Tail (aka Horse’s Tail, Donkey’s Tail, Lamb’s Tail)
Ghost Plant (also known as Mother of Pearl)
Hardy Baby Tears
Haworthia
Hens and Chickens
Maroon Chenille Plant
Mexican Firecracker
Mexican Rosettes
Mexican Snowballs
Painted Lady (aka Copper Rose, Maroon)
Plush Plant
Tree Cactus
Wax Rosette
NOTE: This list is not fully comprehensive but includes some of the most common garden plants.
Symptoms Of Dog Poisoning From Plants
- Cold extremities
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- Excessive salivation
- Lethargy
- Nose bleeds or blood in stool
- Racing or irregular pulse
- Rapid breathing
- Vomiting
Learn More About Dog Poisoning Symptoms
What Should I Do If My Pet Ate A Toxic Plant?
If your pet has eaten part of a toxic plant, do the following:
- Call your vet immediately
- Bring a sample of the plant with you
- Tell your vet how much your pet ingested
Learn More About Treating A Poisoned Dog
Poisonous Plants For Pets Infographic
We created this handy list of safe and toxic plants you can reference. It also includes Poison symptoms and what to do if your dog eats a plant that could be unsafe.
Pet Insurance May Help Cover The Vet Bill
Vet care for a poisoned pet can result in an expensive bill. According to Nationwide Insurance, the average treatment cost for plant toxicity is $547. That’s an unexpected bill that many of us can’t afford out of pocket. By planning ahead, pet insurance can help cover unforeseen accidents like this. You can learn more about pet insurance and decide if it’s something that could help you manage your pet-related expenses.
Why Trust Canine Journal
Kimberly has written about many dog health issues and has first-hand experience with her dog panting and pacing. Fortunately, her dog’s panting is always due to exercise or getting too hot, which are both easily treatable by giving her a rest and a cool down. Her pacing is typically due to separation anxiety, which Kimberly has found sticking to a routine helps her dog. However, there are many other reasons for panting and pacing, which is why Kimberly consulted with multiple vets to provide many reasons why your dog may be panting and pacing.