Poisonous Plants for Dogs:
Knowing Them Can Save
Your Dog's Life

Some of the most common dog toxins are poisonous plants for dogs that unsuspecting pet parents keep around their homes and in their gardens. They might be beautiful and even smell fragrant, but if our furry friends get a hold of them, they can cause a frightening array of toxic side effects, including death.

The best way to protect your canine companion is to be aware of the most poisonous plants for dogs and to rid your home and yard of them. Like children, pets are very curious. In addition, they are often drawn to the scent of these poisonous plants, which makes tasting them irresistible -- and possibly deadly.

19 Common Poisonous Plants for Dogs

Amaryllis (also known as the Belladonna Lily or naked ladies)
Can cause stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, appetite loss, abdominal pain, lethargy, tremors, drooling and, shock and death.

Azalea
Part of the genus Rhododendron. Can cause weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, heart failure, depression of the central nervous system and possible coma.

Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
Can cause in oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage and bone marrow suppression.

Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus communis)
Contains ricin, a highly toxic protein. Can cause severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death. Raw castor beans are highly toxic. One bean can kill a human and four could kill a horse.

Christmas tree pine needles
Can produce oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, trembling and posterior weakness.

Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums contain compounds called pyrethrins, which are used to make insecticide. Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, depression and loss of appetite.

Cyclamen
Can cause significant gastrointestinal irritation, intense vomiting and can be fatal.

Daffodil
Can cause severe gastrointestinal illness, convulsions, seizures, low blood pressure, tremors, heart failure an death.

Easter Cactus
Can cause vomiting, diarrhea and depression. Can cause staggering in cats.

English Ivy (Hdera helix)
Also called branching Ivy, Common Ivy, English Ivy, Glacier Ivy, Needlepoint Ivy, Sweetheart Ivy and California Ivy. Can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, drooling and diarrhea.

Holly
Commonly found during the Christmas season. Can cause intense vomiting, diarrhea and depression.

Kalanchoe
Can cause gastrointestinal irritation, toxicity to the heart, and can seriously affect cardiac rhythm and rate.

Lilies
Even very small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression and severe kidney damage or failure. Even one leaf from any variety of lily is fatal to cats.

Mistletoe
People might like to kiss under it at Christmas, but for pets it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, collapse, erratic behavior, hallucinations and death.

Oleander
All parts of Nerium oleander are considered to be toxic. Can cause vomiting, heart failure, hypothermia and possible death.

Poinsettia
Can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach and vomiting.

Sago Palm (Cycas Revoluta)
Cycad Sago Palm is extremely poisonous to both humans and animals if ingested. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center estimates a fatality rate of 50 to 75 percent when ingestion of the Sago Palm is involved. The incidence of Sago Palm ingestion by pets has risen by over 200% in the last five years. If any quantity of the plant is ingested, a poison control center or doctor should be contacted immediately. Just one or two seeds can cause very serious toxic effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures, liver failure, and death.

Tulip/Narcissus Bulbs
Can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite, diarrhea, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.

To check the possible toxicity of a particular plant, visit the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center Web site. It contains an alphabetical list of the most common plants, with information about their safety. By checking this Web site, you can be sure to keep all poisonous plants for dogs away from your home -- and your furry friend.

Sources:
The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center
VPI Pet Insurance

Quick Links:
Toxic Foods for Dogs
Dog Toxins
Grapes and Dogs
Dogs and Onions

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