21 Plants that are Poisonous to Dogs

 “You can usually tell that a man is good if he has a dog who loves him.” – W. Bruce Cameron

 

Plants are very popular these days. Being stuck at home, almost everyone has turned their attention to gardening and surrounding themselves with greeneries. Being a plant parent is the trend now but if you are also a dog parent, you have to consider the plants you bring into your home and garden. Here are 21 plants that are poisonous to dogs: 

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a medicinal plant for humans but its main ingredient, saponin, is toxic to dogs. Ingestion or frequent exposure to products containing aloe vera can cause drooling, breathing difficulty, nausea, vomiting, incoordination, diarrhea, seizure, depression, and abdominal pain. 

 

Alocasia 

 

The alocasia plant contains insoluble oxalate crystals that when bitten or chewed will penetrate the tissue and irritate the mouth and digestive tract.  Signs of alocasia poisoning include drooling, oral pain, pawing at the mouth or face, loss of appetite, and vomiting

 

Amaryllis 

 

The bulb of the amaryllis plant contains lycorine which when ingested can cause toxicity. Signs of amaryllis poisoning include salivation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, depression, lethargy, loss of appetite, tremors, and low blood pressure.

 

American Holly

 

Ingesting American holly or any other holly variety is not fatal to dogs but it can cause vomiting, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. 

 

Azalea 

Azaleas contain a potent neurotoxin called grayanotoxin that when ingested can disrupt nerve and skeletal function. It can also obstruct heart muscle functions. Signs of azalea poisoning include diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, hypotension, diarrhea, seizures, and coma.  

 

Baby’s Breath 

 

Baby’s breath contains a gastrointestinal toxin called gyposenin found in the flowers and leaves of the plant, Another toxin, saponin, can be found in the roots. This plant is mildly toxic and can cause depression, lethargy, weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting,

 

Begonia

 

Ingestion of begonia can cause excessive drooling, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, discoordination, and in some serious cases, it can cause a low heart rate that could lead to death. 

 

Castor Bean

 

Castor bean plants contain one of the most powerful natural toxins called ricin. This toxin can be found in small amounts in the whole plant except for the seeds where the toxin is greatly concentrated. Ingestion can cause excessive drooling, vomiting, weakness, hypotension, dehydration, loss of appetite, trembling, and death. 

 

Chrysanthemum

 

Chrysanthemum contains pyrethrin, a natural insecticide also known as pyrethroids. Symptoms of poisoning include coughing, drooling, vomiting, loss of appetite, and agitation. 

 

Daffodil 

 

Daffodils contain glycosides and alkaloids. These toxins are present in the flower but high concentrations can be found in the bulbs. Daffodils also contain harmful calcium oxalate crystals. Symptoms of poisoning include drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, troubled breathing, and seizures. 

 

Dieffenbachia/Dumb Cane 

 

Dumb cane also contains calcium oxalate crystals that when ingested can cause panting, drooling, gasping, wheezing, restlessness, vomiting, and death. 

 

English Ivy

 

English ivy contains naturally occurring chemicals called sapogenin and polyacetylene compounds. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. 

 

Lily of the Valley

 

This plant contains high levels of cardiac glycosides that can cause severe life-threatening symptoms a few hours after ingestion. Symptoms include drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, seizures, and death.   

 

Milkweed

 

Milkweed contains toxins called galitoxin and cardiac glycosides. Symptoms of milkweed poisoning include drooling, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, weakness, lack of appetite, diarrhea, discoordination, seizure, and sudden death.

 

Morning Glory

 

Seeds of the morning glory contain lysergic alkaloids which are toxic to dogs when ingested in large quantities. Symptoms of morning glory poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, incoordination, hallucinations, and liver failure. 

 

Oleander

 

Every part of the oleander plant is highly toxic to dogs. Signs of oleander poisoning include drooling, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, lethargy, weakness, discoordination, collapse, dilated pupils, and death. 

 

Philodendron

 

Philodendrons contain calcium oxalate crystals that are toxic to dogs when ingested. Symptoms of philodendron poisoning include excessive drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, vocalization, breathing difficulty, and cardiac arrhythmia. 

 

Sago Palm

 

Sago palm plants contain a toxin called cycasin that causes liver failure and death. Symptoms of sago palm poisoning include drooling, nose bleeds, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, weakness, seizures, liver failure, and death. 

 

Tomato Plant 

 

Red ripe tomatoes are safe but green, unripe tomatoes and their foliage are toxic to dogs when ingested in large amounts. Symptoms of tomato poisoning include excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, weakness, confusion, depression, and abnormal heart rate. 

 

Tulip

 

Tulips contain Tuliposide A, an alkaloid that’s toxic to dogs. Symptoms of tulip poisoning include excessive drooling, dizziness, seizures, vomiting, labored breathing, diarrhea, coma, and sudden death. 

 

Yews 

 

The toxic compound in yew plants is unknown but your dog can get poisoned from ingesting the flowers, seedlings, fruits, limbs, and leaf blades. Symptoms of yew poisoning vary depending on the part the dog ate and the amount ingested. Signs of intoxication include drooling, nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulty, diarrhea, weakness, seizures, coma, and death. 

 

If you have these poisonous plants in your house or garden, you have to make sure that your furry baby stays away from them. For a complete list of plants toxic to dogs, you can check out ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Lists. 

 

If your pet is showing signs of toxic plant poisoning, call your vet immediately or you can call ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Hotline at (888) 426-4435.  

 

You might also be interested to read 21 Tips To Be a Better Pet Parent in 2021 and Choosing the Right Pet for You.