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