Common indoor and outdoor plants

TOXIC TO DOGS

IMPORTANT! Please note that this list is not exhaustive, so if your dog has eaten something they shouldn't, contact your vet immediately!

Often as a dog owner, it feels like you can't turn your back for a minute without them eating/chewing something they shouldn't. Unfortunately, plants are one target of our dogs' attention, and they can carry hidden risks within their attractive exteriors.

Here we've rounded up a handy list of indoor and outdoor plants that are dangerous, poisonous or toxic to dogs. If your dog ever ingests a plant on this list or experiences adverse effects after eating another plant, contact your vet as soon as possible. It's also important to inform the vet which plant your pet has consumed. Bring the plant along to show your vet if you don't know the name.

ARUM LILY

HARMFUL PART: The whole plant.

MECHANISM OF POISONING: The plant must be ingested to be toxic.

SYMPTOMS:

• Oral irritation

• Pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue and lips

• Drooling

• Vomiting

• Difficulty swallowing

AZALEA

HARMFUL PART: Leaves

MECHANISM OF POISONING: The plant must be ingested to be toxic, as it contains grayanotoxins which are toxic to the cardiac muscle and the skeletal system.

SYMPTOMS:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Drooling

• Weakness

• Coma

• Hypotension

• Central Nervous System depression

• Cardiovascular collapse and death

STRELITZIA

HARMFUL PART: Entire plant

MECHANISM OF POISONING: The plant must be ingested to be toxic.

SYMPTOMS:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Drowsiness

• Difficulty breathing

• Loss of appetite

• Death

RUBBER PLANTS

HARMFUL PART: Entire plant

MECHANISM OF POISONING: It's not well understood what makes these plants toxic.

SYMPTOMS:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Poor coordination

GERANIUMS

HARMFUL PART: Entire plant

MECHANISM OF POISONING: The plant must be ingested to be toxic.

SYMPTOMS:

• Vomiting

• Anorexia

• Depression

• Dermatitis

OLEANDER

HARMFUL PART: Entire plant

MECHANISM OF POISONING: The plant must be ingested to be toxic.

SYMPTOMS:

• Diarrhoea

• Heart issues

• Blood pressure issues

• Lethargy

• Depression

• Tremors

• Seizures

• Dehydration

• Shock

• Death

LILY OF THE VALLEY

HARMFUL PART: Entire plant

MECHANISM OF POISONING: The plant must be ingested to be toxic.

SYMPTOMS:

• Vomiting

• Irregular heartbeat

• Low blood pressure

• Disorientation

• Coma

• Seizures

• Death

IRISES

HARMFUL PART: Entire plant but especially the bulb

MECHANISM OF POISONING: The plant must be ingested to be toxic.

SYMPTOMS:

• Salivation

• Vomiting

• Drooling

• Lethargy

• Diarrhoea

HYACINTH

HARMFUL PART: Bulbs

MECHANISM OF POISONING: The plant must be ingested to be toxic.

SYMPTOMS:

• Intense vomiting

• Diarrhoea (sometimes bloody)

• Depressions

• Tremors

CHRYSANTHEMUMS

HARMFUL PART: Entire plant

MECHANISM OF POISONING: The plant must be ingested to be toxic.

SYMPTOMS:

• Vomiting

• Hypersalivation

• Diarrhoea

• Loss of coordination

• Dermatitis

CLIVIAS

HARMFUL PART: Bulbs

MECHANISM OF POISONING: The plant must be ingested to be toxic.

SYMPTOMS:

• Vomiting

• Drooling

• Diarrhoea

• Low blood pressure

• Convulsions

• Tremors

• Heart rhythm problems

CYCAD

HARMFUL PART: Entire plant, especially the seeds

MECHANISM OF POISONING: The plant must be ingested to be toxic.

SYMPTOMS: When the seeds are ingested they cause:

• Gastrointestinal issues (vomiting and diarrhoea may be bloody)

• Neurological issues

• Untreated cycad seed poisoning leads to liver failure and ultimately causes death.

TULIPS

HARMFUL PART: Bulbs

MECHANISM OF POISONING: The bulbs must be ingested to be toxic.

SYMPTOMS:

• Extreme digestive irritation

• Loss of appetite

• Convulsions

• Heart abnormalities

DAFFODIL

HARMFUL PART: Entire plant

MECHANISM OF POISONING: The plant must be ingested to be toxic, although with smaller dogs issues have been reported with something as simple as dogs drinking the water the daffodils were kept in.

SYMPTOMS:

• Stomach cramps

• Low blood pressure

• Drooling

• Tremors

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Heart rhythm problems

HYDRANGEA

HARMFUL PART: Bulbs and flowers

MECHANISM OF POISONING: The plant must be ingested to be toxic. The flowers of these plants are broken down in the stomach to produce cyanide.

SYMPTOMS:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Depression