Every dog owner should have a list of plants poisonous to dogs in order to protect their canine companion from illness or death. There are literally hundreds of plants that would belong on such a list, but the following are a few of the most common.
A List of Plants Poisonous to Dogs
If you have a puppy or an inquisitive adult dog, you know that your pet is not very picky about what he puts in his mouth. This can be very dangerous if the dog decides to chew on something poisonous. Most people know to keep chemicals away from their pet, and many are aware of the potential dangers of chocolate for dogs, but do you know that many common houseplants and landscape plants like gardenias and geraniums are deadly?
Houseplants
Be careful about the plants you choose to decorate your home. Some are extremely toxic to dogs. Examples include: (Note: Plants with "spp" in the name indicates all species of the plant are toxic.)
| Plant | Symptoms |
|---|---|
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Vomiting, diarrhea, tremors. |
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Vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, abdominal pain, hyper-salivating. |
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Ingestion of the berries will cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain; can also cause allergic dermatitis with prolonged skin contact. |
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Causes vomiting, diarrhea, hyper-salivating, weakness, coma, cardiovascular collapse and death. |
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Causes burning of the mouth, lips and tongue, drooling, vomiting and problems swallowing. |
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Causes intense burning in the mouth, drooling, vomiting and problems swallowing. |
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Causes irritation of the mouth, lips, and tongue; drooling, vomiting, and problems swallowing. |
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Impairs coordination, causes diarrhea and vomiting, hyper-salivation and dermatitis. |
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Causes vomiting, salivating, diarrhea and death if tubers (roots) are eaten. |
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Causes burning of the lips, mouth, and tongue, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing. |
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Causes vomiting and diarrhea. |
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Causes vomiting, depression, anorexia, and dermatitis. |
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Causes nausea and vomiting. |
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Causes swelling and burning of the mouth and tongue as well as digestive issues, spasms, and seizures. |
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Causes vomiting, diarrhea, and in some cases, liver failure. The survival rate for this poisoning in dogs is only 32 - 50%. |
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Causes vomiting and diarrhea. |
Landscape Plants
Common plants in your yard may also make your dog very ill. They may be beautiful in your garden, but they are also dangerous for your pet. Here are just a few to be careful of:
| Image | Symptoms |
|---|---|
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Causes vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, and weakness. |
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Causes diarrhea, vomiting, and depression. |
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Causes tremors, breathing problems, vomiting, seizures, sudden death. |
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Will cause drowsiness as well as mild nausea and vomiting. |
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Toxic mold grows on the nuts which can cause tremors and seizures. |
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Causes mild stomach problems and mild dermatitis. |
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Causes mouth irritation, thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, death. |
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Causes bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock and mouth irritation; also causes suppression of bone marrow production and multi-organ damage. |
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Causes vomiting, diarrhea, salivation and convulsions if a large amount of the bulb is eaten. |
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Causes vomiting, salivating, drooling, diarrhea and lethargy. |
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Symptoms range from something minor such as breathing difficulties or a rash and can be as serious as paralysis or even coma. |
Human Food Crops
Plants that people commonly enjoy can be poisonous to dogs. Food crops may be fruits, vegetables or herbs. A few of the foods you should avoid giving your dog include:
| Image | Symptoms |
|---|---|
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Stems, leaves, and seeds cause red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, problems breathing and shock. |
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Seeds, stems, and leaves cause the same symptoms as apples. |
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Leaves, seeds, bark and fruit cause vomiting and diarrhea. |
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This plant causes vomiting and diarrhea. |
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This plant causes vomiting, diarrhea, and allergic reactions. Bleeding issues may surface with long-term use. |
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Beans and grounds cause panting, restlessness, muscle twitches and increased heart rate (similar to chocolate). |
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Too much raw garlic causes the breakdown of red blood cells, vomiting, panting, weakness, elevated heart rate, and blood in urine. |
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Fresh and dried (raisins) cause kidney failure and possibly death. |
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This citrus causes vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. |
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This causes the same problems as garlic; they both contain the same toxic chemical, thiosulphate. |
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Green parts of the plant cause diarrhea, loss of appetite, weakness, confusion, slow heart rate. |
Plants With Bad Reputations
Though many dog owners have been told to keep their pets away from colorful plants because they're inevitably dangerous, this isn't necessarily true. Petunias, for example, are beautiful flowers that aren't toxic to dogs. Cannas - frequently referred to as "Canna Lily" though not truly a lily - is also considered non-toxic to dogs. Of course, this doesn't mean dogs should be fed these plants intentionally, but rather that pet parents shouldn't panic if their dog happens to grab a bite of either of these colorful plants.
Where to Find More Details
This is by no means an all-inclusive list of plants poisonous to dogs. For a more extensive list of nearly 400 plants, visit the ASPCA website. Toxic plants should be eliminated from your home or closely monitored so your dog is unable to access them. Food plants that are toxic to your dog should be securely fenced so your dog cannot get near them if they cannot be removed from your landscape. If you suspect that your dog has eaten something he shouldn't, call your vet immediately or call the ASPCA emergency poisoning hotline at 1-888-426-4435.
