We assume no liability for the content of the following list. This does not represent a complete list of all poisonous plants and is only intended as a guide. Please contact your veterinary surgeon for advice or treatment immediately if you think your pet has eaten any of the following plants and is showing a bad reaction. Your pet may also have a sensitivity or allergy to a plant that is not on the list, so always be vigilant and seek help if you are worried about your pet’s health.
List of common potentially poisonous household and garden substances –as supplied by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS)
| Common name | Botanical name | Details (if known) |
| Aconite (roots, foliage, seeds) | Aconitum species | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. May also affect cardiac function – increased heart rate. |
| African violet (leaves) | Saintpaulia ionantha | |
| Aloe vera | Aloe vera | diarrhea |
| Amaryllis (bulbs) | Hippeastrum species | Upset stomach, hyperactivity, lethargy, coma, shock. Can be fatal. |
| Angels’ trumpets | Brugmansia species | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Angel wings | Caladium species | Upset stomach, oral irritation, asphyxiation, tremors, seizures, loss of balance. Can be fatal. |
| Apple (seeds) | Malus species | Seeds contain cyanide. Varied toxic effects. |
| Apple leaf croton | ||
| Apricot (kernels) | Prunus armeniaca | Kernels contain cyanide. Can be fatal. |
| Arborvitae | Thuja species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin allergy. |
| Arrow grasses (leaves) | Triglochin species | |
| Asparagus fern | Asparagus setaceus | Contains a wide variety of poisons resulting in a large range of symptoms. |
| Autumn crocus | Crocus speciosus | Vomiting, nervous excitement. May cause dermatitis. |
|
Avocado (fruit & pith) |
Persea americana | diarrhea, vomiting, laboured breathing. Can be fatal. |
| Azalea (all parts) | Rhododenron occidentale |
Nausea, vomiting, depression, difficulty breathing and coma. Can be fatal if eaten in large enough quantities. |
| Baby’s breath | Gypsophila paniculata | |
|
Barilla (leaves & stems) |
Salsola soda | |
| Bay trees | Laurus nobilis | Can cause vomiting and diarrhea |
|
Bird of paradise (seeds) |
Strelitzia reginae | The gastrointestinal tract is affected by plant toxins. |
| Bittersweet | Celastrus angulatus | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Bleeding heart (foliage, roots) | Dicentra formosa | Poisonous in large amounts, contains convulsants. May also cause dermatitis. |
| Bluebell | Hyacinthoides | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Box (leaves) | Buxus sempervirens | |
| Boxwood (leaves, twigs) | Hebe odora | Upset stomach, heart failure, excitability or lethargy. May also cause dermatitis. |
| Bracken | Pteridium aquilinum | Thiamine deficiency, acute haemorrhagic syndrome, blindness, tumours |
| Broom | Cytisus species | |
|
Buckeyes (nuts & immature growths) |
Aesculus species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Burning bush | Kochia scoparia | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. May cause a skin allergy. |
| Buttercup | Ranunculus species | Juice may severely injure the digestive system. May also cause dermatitis. |
| Caladium | Caladium species | |
| Calico bush | Kalmia species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Calla lily (leaves) | Zantedeschia species | (as above) |
| Caper Spurge | Euphorbia lathyris | |
| Cardinal flower | Lobelia cardinalis | |
| Castor bean (leaves and seeds) | Ricinus communis | May cause dermatitis. A single Rosary pea or one/two Castor bean seeds can be fatal. |
| Ceriman | Monstera deliciosa | Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May cause dermatitis. |
| Chenille Plant | Acalypha hispida | |
| Cherry (kernels) | Prunus species | Kernels contain cyanide. |
| Cherry laurel | Prunus laurocerasus | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| China Berry | Melia azedarach | |
| Chinese evergreen | Aglaonema | |
| Christmas rose (leaves, roots) | Helleborus niger | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Chrysanthemum (leaves & stems) | Chrysanthemum species | May cause dermatitis. |
| Cineraria | Senecio species | |
| Clematis | Clematis armandii | The gastrointestinal tract and nervous system are affected by plant toxins. May cause dermatitis. |
| Cocoa husks or mulch |
Similar toxic effects to that of chocolate – hyperactivity, increased heart rate. Can kill if enough is eaten. |
|
| Corn cockle (seeds) | Agrostemma species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Corn plant | Dracaena species | |
| Crocus | Anemone species | |
| Colchicum autumnale | ||
| Croton | Codiaeum species | |
| Crown vetch | Coronilla varia | |
| Cuckoo pint | Arum maculatum | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. May cause a skin allergy. |
| Crowfoot | Anunculus species | |
| Cycads | Encephalartos species | |
| Cyclamen | Cyclamen species | Gastrointestinal tract affected. Convulsions and paralysis. |
| Daffodil (bulbs) | Narcissus species | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. May also cause dermatitis. Can be fatal. |
| Daphne | Daphne species | Gastrointestinal tract and kidneys are affected. May cause dermatitis. |
| Datura | Brugmansia species | |
| Deadly nightshade | Atropa belladonna | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Delphinium (seeds, young plants) | Delphinium species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Devil’s fig | Solanum hispidium | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Dieffenbachia | Dieffenbachia species |
Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May cause dermatitis. Tremors, seizures, loss of balance, asphyxiation. Can be fatal. |
| Dragon tree | Dracaena species | Vomiting and diarrhea. |
| Dumb cane | Dieffenbachia amaena | Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May cause dermatitis. Tremors, seizures, loss of balance, asphyxiation. Can be fatal. |
| Dwarf morning glory | Convolvulus tricolor | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Easter lily | Lilium longiflorum | (Especially poisonous to cats). |
| Echium | Echium species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin allergy. |
| Elder (leaves, root, bark) | Sambuccus species | |
| Elderberry | Sambucus canadensis | Nausea and vomiting. |
| Elephant ears | Bergenia species | Intense burning, irritation and swelling of the mouth and throat. If the tongue swells enough to block air passage can be fatal. |
| English ivy (berries & leaves) | Hedera helix | Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause dermatitis. |
| European spindle | Euonymus europaeus | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| False hellebore (roots, seeds, leaves) | Veratrum album | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Fig Trees | Ficus Species | Can cause gastrointestinal and skin irritation |
| Flannel flower | Phylica plumosa | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Flax | Linum usitatissimum | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Foxglove (leaves, seeds) | Digitalis species | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Fritillary | Fritillaria species | |
| Fruit salad plant | Monstera deliciosa | Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May cause dermatitis. |
| Gaultheria | Gaulthera mucronata | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Geranium | Geranium species | |
| German ivy (berries & leaves) | Delairea odorata | Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause dermatitis. |
| German primula | Toxic if eaten. May cause skin allergy. | |
| Glory lily | Gloriosa superba | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Golden chain (seed capsules) | Laburnum | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Granny’s bonnets | Aquilegia vulgaris | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Heavenly bamboo | Nandina domestica | |
| Hellebores | Helleborus species | |
| Heliotrope | Heliotropum arborescens | |
| Hemlock | Tsuga species | |
| Henbane | Hyposcyamus niger | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Hibiscus | Hibiscus species | |
| Holly (berries) | Ilex species | Upset stomach, tremors, seizures, loss of balance. |
| Horse chestnut (nuts, leaves) | Aesculus hippocastanum | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Hosta | Hosta Species | Can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain |
| Hurricane plant (bulb) | Monstera deliciosa | Varied toxic effects. Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May cause dermatitis. |
| Hyacinth (bulbs) | Hyacinthus orientalis | Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin allergy. |
| Hydrangea | Hydrangea species | |
| Iris (roots) | Iris species | Severe digestive upset. May cause dermatitis. |
| Ivy (entire plant) | Hedera helix | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Jack in the pulpit | Arisaema species | Causes burning to the mouth. Can cause hallucinations. |
| Japanese spindle | Euonymus sieboldianus | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Japanese yew | Taxus species | |
| Jessamine (berries & sap) | Cestrum species | Digestive disturbance. The gastrointestinal tract and nervous system are affected. Can be fatal. |
| Jerusalem Cherry (immature growths) | Solanum pseudocapsicum | Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause dermatitis. |
| Jimson weed (Thorn Apple) | Datura stramonium | Abnormal thirst, distorted sight, delirium, incoherence, coma. Can be fatal. |
| Jonquil (bulb) | Narcissus species | |
| Juniper | Juniperus species | |
| Kalanchoe | Kalanchoe species | Depression, rapid breathing, teeth grinding, ataxia, paralysis |
| Kale | Brassica oleracea | Haemolytic anaemia, goitre, possible reduced fertility |
| Kingcup | Caltha palustris | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Laburnum (leaves, seeds) | Laburnum anagyroides | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Lantana | Lantana camara | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Larkspur (young plants & seeds) | Delphinium species | Digestive upset, nervousness, depression. Cardiovascular system affected. May cause dermatitis. Can be fatal. |
| Laurel | Prunus species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Lenton rose | Helleborus orientalis | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Leopard lily | Belamcanda species | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. May cause a skin allergy. |
| Leyland cypress | Cupressocyparis leylandii | Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin allergy. |
| Lily | Lilium species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Lily of the Valley (leaves, flowers, roots) | Convallaria species | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Lily of the Valley bush | Pieris japonica | |
| Lobelia | Lobelia species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin allergy. |
| Locust | Robinia species | Nausea and weakness |
| Lupin (leaves, seeds) | Lupinus species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Mallow | Lavatera species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Maple Tree | Acer species | |
| Marijuana | Cannabis sativa | Contains hallucinogens. |
| Marsh marigold | Caltha palustris | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| May apple (apples, roots, foliage) | Podophyllum peltatum | Severe diarrhea. The nervous system is affected. |
| Meadow rue | Thalistrum delavayi | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Mezereon | Daphne mezereum | |
| Milkweed | Ascepias syriaca | Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin allergy. |
| Mistletoe (berries) | Phoradendron flavescens | Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause dermatitis. If eaten by a puppy, a few berries can be fatal. |
| Monkshood | Aconitum napellus | Digestive upset and nervous excitement. Cardiovascular system affected. |
| Morning glory (seeds, roots) | Ipomea species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Moroccan broom | Cytisus battandieri | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Mother-in-law’s tongue (leaves) | Dieffenbachia amaena | Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May cause dermatitis. Tremors, seizures, loss of |
| balance, asphyxiation. Can be fatal. | ||
| Mountain laurel | Kalmia latifolia | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Naked ladies | Colchium species | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Narcissus | Narcissus (bulbs) |
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. May cause dermatitis. Can be fatal. |
| Needlepoint ivy (berries & leaves) | Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause dermatitis. | |
| Nerine | Nerine bowdenii | |
| Nightshades | Solanum species | Intense digestive disturbances. Can be fatal. |
|
Oak tree (foliage & acorns) |
Quercus species | Affects kidneys. Symptoms appear after several days. |
| Oleander | Nerium oleander | Affects the heart, produces severe digestive upset, extremely poisonous. May cause dermatitis. Can be fatal. |
| Onion | Allium species | Causes anaemia. Onions should not be fed to dogs in any form. |
| Paspalum (seeds) | Paspalum species | Dermatitis |
| Pasque flower | Pulsatilla vulgaris | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Peace lily | Spathiphyllum species | Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause dermatitis. |
| Peach (stones & leaves) | Prunus persica | Contain cyanide. |
| Pencil cactus | Opuntia leptocaulis | |
| Peony (roots) | Paeonia species | |
| Peruvian lily | Chlidanthus fragans | Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin allergy. |
| Philodendron | Philodendron species (leaves) | Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May cause dermatitis. |
| Pineapple broom | Cytisus battandieri | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Poinsettia (leaves, stems & sap) | Euphorbia pulcherrima | Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, delirium. Sap can cause irritation and if rubbed in eyes, blindness. May also cause dermatitis. |
| Poison hemlock | Conium maculatum |
Nervous system affected. May cause dermatitis. Can be fatal. |
| Poison ivy (leaves, bark & fruit) | Toxicodendron radicans | Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering dermatitis if they come into contact with the skin. |
| Poison oak (leaves, bark & fruit) | Toxicodendron | May cause dermatitis. |
| Poison sumac | Toxicodendron vernix | Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering dermatitis if they come into contact with the skin. |
| Pokeroot | Phytolacca americana | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Pokeweed | Phytolacca americana | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Poppy (unripe seedpod) | Papaver species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Potato (green skin & sprouts) | Solanum tuberosum | |
| Prickly poppy | Argemone mexicana | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Primrose (leaves) | Primula vulgaris | Upset stomach. May cause dermatitis. |
| Privet (leaves) | Ligustrum species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Ragwort | Senecio species | Causes kidney failure and liver damage which is irreversible. Minute doses fatal, often wrongly diagnosed. |
| Raisins and Grapes | Causes kidney failure. Can be fatal. | |
| Rape | Brassicus napus | If ingested: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal tenderness; if contact occurs: dermatitis (rare) |
| Red-ink plant | Phytolacca americana | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Rhododendron | Rhododendron species | Nausea, vomiting, depression, difficulty breathing and coma. Can be fatal. |
| Rhubarb (leaves) | Rheum species | Large amounts of raw or cooked leaves can cause convulsions and coma. Can be fatal. |
| Rosebay | Rhododendron aureum | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Rose periwinkle | Catharanthus roseus | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Rue | Ruta graveolens | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. May cause a skin allergy. |
| Sago palm | Cycas revoluta | Can be fatal |
| Savin | Juniperus sabina | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Schefflera | Brassaia actinophylla | Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin allergy. |
| Silkweed | Asclepias species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Snowdrops | Galanthus species | |
| Solomon’s seal | Polygonatum | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Spider plant | Chlorophytum species | May cause vomiting and salivation. |
| Spruce Tree | Picea species | |
| Spurge | Euphorbia species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin allergy. |
| Squill | Scilla species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Star-of-Bethlehem (bulbs) | Ornithogalum species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Starflower | Smilacina stellata | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| St Johns Wort | Hypericum perforatum | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| String of pearls/beads | Senecio rowleyanus or herreianus | |
| Sweet pea (stem) | Lathyrus odoratus | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Swiss cheese plant | Monstera deliciosa | Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May cause dermatitis. |
| Taro vine | Monstera deliciosa | Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May cause dermatitis. |
| Tiger lily | Lilium | (Especially poisonous to cats) |
| Tobacco plant (leaves) | Nicotiana | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Tobira | Pittosporum tobira | |
| Tomato plant (green fruit, stem & leaves) | Lycopersicon lycospersicum | |
| Tulip | Tulipa species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin allergy. |
| Umbrella plant | Schlefflera species | Toxic if eaten, causing vomiting, and diarrhea. |
| Varnish tree | Toxicodendron vernicifluum | Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering dermatitis if they come into contact with the skin. |
| Walnut (green hull juice) | Juglans nigra | |
| Water hemlock | Cicuta maculata | Violent painful convulsions. Can be fatal. |
| Wax tree | Toxicodendron succedaneum | Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering dermatitis if they come into contact with the skin. |
| Weeping fig | Ficus species | |
| Wild cherry tree (twigs & foliage) | Prunus avium | Gasping, excitement, prostration. Can be fatal. |
| Windflower | Anemone species | Harmful if eaten in quantity. |
| Wisteria (pods, seeds) | Wisteria | Nausea, repeated vomiting, stomach pains, severe diarrhea, dehydration and collapse. |
| Wolfsbane | Aconitum Septentrionale | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. |
| Woody nightshade | Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. | |
| Yarrow | Achillea species | |
| Yew (berries & foliage) | Taxus species | Dizziness, dry mouth and mydriasis develop within one hour, followed by abdominal cramping, salivation and vomiting. Foliage is more fatal than berries, death can be sudden without warning or symptoms. Can be fatal. |
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