Toxic Plants

posted: by: Mimosa Veterinary Hospital Tags: "Clinic Specials" "News" 

Toxic Plants: Indoor and Outdoor plants that can be toxic to your dog or cat

Dogs and cats are very curious when it comes to plants so you should always verify the plant you are bringing home is non-toxic or will be located where your dog or cat can not come in direct contact.  Keep in mind if the plant is non-toxic, fertilizers and pesticides are still toxic to your dog and cat and can be ingested through eating the plant, fallen leaves or the plant dirt.  This list is not inclusive to all toxic plants as a majority of plants cause some irritation to your pet.  If your pet ingests a plant or pesticide, contact your vet, the Emergency Vet or Pet Poison Control.

House Plants that cause skin reactions after contact:
  • Chrysanthemum
  • Creeping Fig
  • Poinsettia
  • Weeping Fig
Irritating plants that can cause mouth swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing and gastrointestinal upset:
  • Arrowhead vine
  • Begonia (tuberous)
  • Caladium
  • Calla or Arum Lily
  • Corn Plant
  • Dracaena species
  • Elephant’s Ear
  • Emerald Duke
  • Ivy – Boston Ivy, Parlor Ivy
  • Majesty
  • Marble Queen, Pothos – Devils Lily, Philodendron – Heart Leaf, Saddle leaf or split leaf Philodendron.
  • Mother-in-law plant
  • Peace Lily
  • Red Princess
  • Ribbon plant
Plants with a variety of poisons that can cause heart, kidney, liver and respiratory problems.
  • Amaryllis
  • Asparagus fern
  • Azalea
  • Bird of paradise
  • Creeping Charlie
  • Crown of Thorns
  • Elephants Ear
  • Foxglove
  • Ivies
  • Jerusalem Cherry
  • Nightshade
  • Palms – Sago Palm, Cycad Palm
  • Pot Mums, Spider Mums
  • Umbrella Plant
  • Yew – American and English
Outdoor plants and trees with toxic effects that can produce vomiting and diarrhea:
  • Apricot
  • Almond
  • Azalea
  • Bird of Paradise
  • Bittersweet Woody and Larkspur Woody
  • Buttercup
  • Castor Bean
  • Cherry and Wild Cherry
  • Daffodil
  • Day Lilies (more toxic for cats)
  • Delphinium
  • English Holly
  • Foxglove
  • Ground Cherry
  • Indian Tobacco or turnip
  • Jasmine
  • Jimsonwood
  • Lily of the Valley
  • Locoweed
  • Lupine
  • May Apple
  • Matrimony Vine
  • Moonseed
  • Mushrooms
  • Nightshades
  • Oleander
  • Onion
  • Peach
  • Rhododendron
  • Rhubarb Leaves
  • Shamrock
  • Soap berry
  • Spinach
  • Tomato plant (the stems are toxic)
  • Wisteria
  • Yew – American, English and Western black locust.