Dogs are curious creatures who tend to explore the world mouth-first — licking, chewing, or eating objects that are of interest to them. Unfortunately, this also means that they’re at risk for eating things that are harmful for them, like toxic plants.
Although most dogs will avoid eating dangerous plants, others will be more curious and won’t be able to resist — especially young dogs or puppies.
Many common garden and outdoor plants can be toxic to dogs. While some might just cause an upset tummy, others can cause more serious problems — especially if they’re eaten in large amounts.
In this guide, we’ll take you through what plants are poisonous to dogs, as well as what to do if your pup eats any dangerous plants while out in your yard, on a walk, or on a hike. Before we get started — note that while we touch on many common toxic outdoor plants in this guide, it is not a comprehensive list. Before visiting a garden center, always research the specific plants that you’re interested in purchasing, before bringing them into your yard or home.
Poisonous Flowers and Bulbs
Autumn Crocus
These fall-blooming plants contain colchicine, which is extremely toxic for dogs — causing gastrointestinal bleeding, severe vomiting, kidney and liver damage, and respiratory failure if ingested. Symptoms might be delayed for several days — so don’t wait to take your dog to the vet, even if they seem fine at first.
Begonia
These tubers are among the plants harmful to dogs, causing mouth irritation and difficulty swallowing if ingested.
Chrysanthemum
These common flowers contain lactones and pyrethrin, which cause intestinal irritation if ingested. While not lethal, eating any part of the plant can result in vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, skin rashes, and loss of coordination.
Daffodil
Ingesting any part of the daffodil plant, especially the bulb, can cause pups to experience severe vomiting, drooling, tremors, respiratory distress, convulsions, and heart problems.
Daisies
Believe it or not, these very common flowers are one of the dangerous plants for dogs. Daisies contain sesquiterpene lactones, which can cause gastrointestinal issues, especially if your pup eats a large amount.
Foxglove
All parts of these tall, beautiful flowers — from the seeds to the petals — are extremely toxic to dogs. Ingesting them can cause cardiac failure and even death — so please keep foxgloves away from your pup, and go to the emergency vet immediately if you suspect that your dog has eaten this plant.
Geranium
All varieties of this common potted plant are poisonous to dogs. If ingested, symptoms include lethargy, low blood pressure, skin rashes, and loss of appetite.
Iris
Ingesting any part of this plant can cause skin irritation, drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy — so it’s best to skip planting irises in your yard, and avoid them when out with your pup.
Lily
With so many different varieties of lilies, it’s hard to remember which are among the plants that are toxic to dogs, and which are relatively benign. Some — like daylilies — are extremely toxic to cats, but only cause gastrointestinal issues in dogs. Others, like calla lilies, release a substance that burns and irritates a dog’s mouth and stomach. Symptoms can be mild to severe, but always uncomfortable for your pup — so best to avoid them.
Lily of the Valley
If ingested, lilies of the valley can cause some pretty serious issues for your pup. Symptoms include: diarrhea, vomiting, a drop in heart rate, and cardiac arrhythmia.
Tulip and Hyacinth
Any part of these flowers can be harmful to dogs — causing irritation to the mouth and esophagus — but the bulb is the most toxic part. Typical symptoms include excessive drooling and vomiting. But if many bulbs are eaten, symptoms may include an increased heart rate and irregular breathing — call your vet immediately if you notice any of these signs in your dog.
Poisonous Shrubs and Plants
Aloe Vera
This skin-soother for people contains saponin compounds, which can make dogs sick. Chewing or eating whole aloe vera plants can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Aloe gel on its own isn’t toxic — but whole aloe leaves contain aloin (also called, aloe latex), which is harmful for pups.
Azalea and Rhododendron
These plants are extremely dangerous for dogs. Eating even a few leaves can cause serious issues — like vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, paralysis, shock, coma, and even death. Avoid them at all costs.
Holly
There are many different varieties of holly, including: American holly, English holly, Japanese holly, and Christmas holly. Although some are less toxic than others, it’s best to keep your pup away from all of them. Eating holly can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal injury due to the plant’s spiny leaves. Symptoms to look out for include lip-smacking, drooling, and head shaking.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea plants have high concentrations of toxic substances in the flowers and leaves. Ingestion can cause lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues for your pup.
Ivy
Ivy is a common part of many landscapes. Certain types of these plants are dangerous to dogs, though not usually lethal. Ingestion can result in excessive salivation and drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, a swollen mouth and tongue, and difficulty breathing.
Oleander
Beware, all parts of this popular ornamental shrub are toxic to both humans and dogs. If your dog ingests oleander flowers or leaves, they may experience extreme vomiting, an abnormal heart rate, and even death. Other signs to look out for include: tremors, drooling, seizures, and weakness.
Peony
These gorgeous, flowering plants are among the plants that are toxic to dogs. They contain the toxin paeonol in their bark, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea if ingested in large amounts.
Sago Palm
Sago palms are often used as landscaping in temperate zones, but they’re considered one of the most toxic plants for dogs. Every part of the plant is toxic, especially the seeds — and ingesting even just a few seed pods can cause acute liver failure. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, decreased appetite, and nosebleeds — if you see any of these in your pup, take them to the emergency vet right away.
Poisonous Trees
Black Walnut
While the Black Walnut tree itself isn’t dangerous for dogs, nuts that fall to the ground can be. Why? They start to decay very quickly, producing mold that can cause digestive issues and even seizures if ingested by your dog.
Chinaberry
The berries, leaves, bark, and flowers of this tree all contain dangerous toxins that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, slow heart rate, seizures, and shock if eaten by a curious pup.
Fruit Trees
Closely monitor your pup when they’re around pitted fruit trees like plums, apricots, peaches, avocados, and cherries. Not only are the pits of these fruits choking hazards for your dog, some of them contain toxins (like avocado pits and skins, and cherry pits). Even if your pup only eats the fruit, eating too much of it can cause diarrhea, so it’s best to keep an eye on them.
Horse Chestnut (Buckeye)
This tree is definitely one of the plants that are toxic to dogs, as it contains saponin, which causes vomiting, diarrhea, and dilated pupils if ingested. It also affects the central nervous system, and can lead to convulsions and coma.
Japanese Yew
Because of their bright green leaves and red berries, these trees are popular holiday decorations — but they should never be used in homes where dogs live. All varieties of this tree, from the dwarf version to the giant trees, contain dangerous toxins that can be fatal to dogs. If ingested, symptoms include tremors, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and seizures.
Other nut trees
As a general rule, nuts are toxic for dogs. Avoid letting your dog eat the nuts from almond, pecan, hickory, walnut, or other nut trees. If ingested, they can cause gastrointestinal problems and possibly an intestinal blockage.
Garden Hazards
It’s not just plants that can be hazardous to your dog when they’re out for a walk or playing in the garden. Here are some other things to avoid:
Compost And Grass Clippings
Keep any compost in a secure bin — it can contain dangerous molds or bacteria that can make your pup sick.
Mushrooms and Fungi
Not all mushrooms are dangerous — but some can be life-threatening if your dog eats them, so it’s best to steer clear.
Pesticides, Weed Killers and Fertilizers
These products often contain products which are toxic to pets. Avoid using them in any areas your dog usually visits, and put up barriers or covers to keep your pup out of any areas that you need to treat.
Grass Seeds
Grass seeds can get stuck in your dog’s skin, especially in their paws, armpits and ears. These seeds can cause irritation and infection, and even spread to other parts of the body — leading to potentially serious problems. Grass seeds aren’t just a hazard if you’re reseeding your lawn — they’re also common in fields of long grass, especially in the spring and summer. So be aware when you take your dog out for walks or playtime.
Potential Poisoning? What You Should Do
If you think your dog has eaten something toxic, follow these steps:
- Contact your vet, emergency vet, or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661).
- Try to identify the plant your dog ate by taking a sample, a photo, or collecting their vomit in a plastic bag to take to the vet.
- When you reach the vet or helpline, provide them with as much information as possible, including: the suspected plant, the estimated time of ingestion, your dog’s weight, and any symptoms your pup is showing.
- Under absolutely no circumstances should you induce vomiting, unless instructed to do so by your vet. Specific plant poisons require specific treatments, and in some cases vomiting can make things worse.
- Don’t fall for the myth that dogs instinctively avoid dangerous plants. While it’s sometimes true of animals in the wild, dogs have no ability to distinguish between which plants are safe and which ones aren’t.
Keeping Your Pup Safe and Healthy
Whether you’re an avid gardener or just have a few potted plants in your apartment, some plants might not be your dog’s best friends. It’s important to protect your pup from poisonous plants by educating yourself on which ones are toxic to dogs, and removing them from your space or keeping them out of reach.
Some plants can cause discomfort for dogs, while others can make them miserable or even be fatal if ingested. If you think your pup may have eaten a poisonous plant, don’t wait — contact your vet or your local emergency vet immediately, and describe what your dog has eaten and the symptoms they’re experiencing.
In the meantime, support your dog’s day-to-day health with nutritious, high-quality food. At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love.