Which plants are poisonous to dogs?
It’s great to be outside with your dog. However, did you know that several plants are poisonous and that you should prevent your dog from eating those plants? But which plants are poisonous to your dog? And what should you do if your dog has eaten a poisonous plant? Which plants can you safely place in your home? Read all about it in this blog article!
What health issues can my dog get after eating poisonous plants?
Many plants are unfortunately poisonous to dogs. The problems your dog can get from poisonous plants are very diverse, from stomach and intestinal problems (vomiting and diarrhoea) to skin irritation. Sometimes other issues can arise, such as hyperactivity, tremors, dilated pupils, paralysis, heart rhythm disorders and shortness of breath. The severity of the complaints is often related to the amount of the plant your dog has eaten. It also matters how toxic a plant is.
In this blog we try to distinguish between the extremely poisonous plants, poisonous garden plants and poisonous houseplants.
Plants that are extremely toxic to your dog
There are a number of plants that you can label as extremely poisonous. If your dog eats these plants, serious complaints can arise, such as paralysis, cardiac arrhythmias and even death.
Below you will find an overview of these extremely poisonous plants.
| Extremely poisonous plants for dogs | |
|---|---|
| Adonis Rose | Poinsettia |
| Columbine | Lily-of-the-Valley |
| Bastard Larkspur | Cherry Laurel |
| Scotch Broom | Mistletoe |
| Henbane | Wolf’s bane |
| Bittersweet | Night Were |
| Mock oranges | Oleander |
| Strychnine tree | Rosary pea |
| Cocoa shells | Pepper tree |
| Dieffenbachia | Rhododendron |
| Jimsonweed | Larkspur |
| Cuckoo-pint | Hemlock |
| Spotted Scheerling | Yew |
| Fire lilies | Thuja |
| Golden rain | Lady’s glove |
| Autumn crocus | Cicuta virosa |
| Honeysuckle | Belladonna |
| Pokeweeds | Ricinus |
| Helleborus niger | Juniperus sabina |
Poisonous garden plants for dogs
In addition to the extremely poisonous plants, there are also other plants that you should not put in your garden. The plants from this list mainly cause skin issues and stomach and intestinal problems. Sometimes liver and/or kidney problems or problems with breathing can also develop. More rare but not impossible are nerve problems and being generally ill.
Below is an overview of these poisonous garden plants.
| Poisonous garden plants for dogs | |
|---|---|
| Potato plant | Petunia |
| Buckthorn/Goji Berry | Plants of the garlic family (allium species) |
| Buttercup | Giant hogweed |
| Boxwood | Solomon’s Seal |
| Swiss cheese plant | Water-arum |
| Viburnum opulus | Tomato plant (only the plant) |
| Hydrangea | Tulip |
| Hyacinth | Large-leaved lupine |
| Ragwort | Flax |
| Crocus | Fig plant |
| Lily | Bryonia dioica |
| Daffodil | Spurges |
| Horsetail | Black Nightshade |
Poisonous houseplants for dogs
Below is an overview of houseplants that are poisonous to your dog. So either put it out of reach of your dog or remove it out of your house! Your dog often really doesn’t have to eat the whole plant to get health issues. Biting into it can be enough to get sick.
Here is the overview of poisonous house plants for your dog
| Poisonous houseplants for dogs | |
|---|---|
| Aloe Vera | Dracaena |
| Amaryllis | Weeping fig |
| Azalea | Monstera |
| Aspidistra | Philodendron |
| Calla | Dracaena trifasciata |
| Clivia | Schefflera |
| Cyclamen | Solanum Pseudocapsicum |
| Dumb canes |
Which houseplants are safe for dogs
It is nice if you know in advance which plants you should not put in the house. However, because the list is not complete, it is easier to give an overview of plants that are definitely safe.
| Safe Houseplants | |
|---|---|
| Aspidistra eliator | Elkhorn fern |
| Banana plant | Ponytail palm |
| Bromeliads | Orchid |
| Calatheas | Palm (exception: Cycas Palm) |
| Marigold | Fern (e.g. the curly fern or Nephrolepis) |
| Grass Lily | Zebra haworthia |
So if you want a new plant in your home, it is best to choose a plant from this list.
Please note! The lists of poisonous plants described above are not complete! So inform yourself before you choose a plant to put in the house or garden. Has your dog eaten a plant and are you unsure whether it is poisonous? Always contact your vet!
Also read our article Which plants are poisonous to your cat.
Do you have any questions regarding this article? Please contact veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk.
