DOGS TRUST LIST OF POISONOUS PLANTS - Dog Health Guide

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, foliage, Aconitum species
seeds) Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Saintpaulia ionantha May also affect cardiac function – increased
African violet (leaves) Aloe vera heart rate.
Aloe vera Hippeastrum species
Amaryllis (bulbs) Diarrhoea
Brugmansia species Upset stomach, hyperactivity, lethargy, coma,
Angels’ trumpets Caladium species shock. Can be fatal.
Angel wings Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Malus species Upset stomach, oral irritation, asphyxiation,
Apple (seeds) tremors, seizures, loss of balance. Can be
Apple leaf croton fatal.
Apricot (kernels) Seeds contain cyanide. Varied toxic effects.
Arborvitae
Prunus armeniaca Kernels contain cyanide. Can be fatal.
Arrow grasses (leaves) Thuja species Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Asparagus fern Triglochin species allergy.
Asparagus setaceus
Autumn crocus Colchicum autumnale Contains a wide variety of poisons resulting in
Persea americana a large range of symptoms.
Avocado (fruit & pith) Rhododenron occidentale Severe vomiting and diarrhoea, kidney failure,
bone marrow depression. Can be fatal.
Azalea (all parts) Gypsophila paniculata Diarrhoea, vomiting, laboured breathing. Can
be fatal.
Baby’s breath Nausea, vomiting, depression, difficulty
breathing and coma. Can be fatal if eaten in
large enough quantities.

Barilla (leaves & stems) Salsola soda Gastrointestinal tract affected by the plant
Bird of paradise (seeds) Strelitzia reginae toxins.
Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Bittersweet Celastrus angulatus Poisonous in large amounts, contains
Dicentra formosa convulsants. May also cause dermatitis.
Bleeding heart (foliage, Harmful if eaten in quantity.
roots) Hyacinthoides
Bluebell Buxus sempervirens Upset stomach, heart failure, excitability or
Box (leaves) Hebe odora lethargy. May also cause dermatitis.
Thiamine deficiency, acute haemorrhagic
Boxwood (leaves, twigs) syndrome, blindness, tumours

Bracken Pteridium aquilinum Harmful if eaten in quantity.

Broom Cytisus species Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Buckeyes (nuts & Aesculus species May cause a skin allergy.
immature growths) Juice may severely injure digestive system.
Burning bush Kochia scoparia May also cause dermatitis.

Buttercup Ranunculus species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
(as above)
Caladium Caladium species
Calico bush Kalmia species May cause dermatitis. A single Rosary Pea or
Calla lily (leaves) Zantedeschia species one/two Castor bean seeds can be fatal.
Caper Spurge Euphorbia lathyris Causes diarrhoea and oral irritation if eaten.
Cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis May cause dermatitis.
Castor bean (leaves and Ricinus communis
seeds) Kernels contain cyanide.
Ceriman Monstera deliciosa Harmful if eaten in quantity.

Chenille Plant Acalypha hispida Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Cherry (kernels) Prunus species
Cherry laurel Prunus laurocerasus May cause dermatitis.
Melia azedarach
China Berry Aglaonema Gastrointestinal tract and nervous system
Chinese evergreen Helleborus niger affected by plant toxins. May cause dermatitis.
Christmas rose (leaves, Similar toxic effects to that of chocolate –
roots) Chrysanthemum species hyperactivity, increased heart rate. Can kill if
Chrysanthemum (leaves & enough is eaten.
stems) Senecio species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Cineraria Clematis armandii
Clematis

Cocoa husks or mulch

Corn cockle (seeds) Agrostemma species
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 Gastrointestinal tract affected. Convulsions
Cyclamen Cyclamen species and paralysis.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea. May also cause
Daffodil (bulbs) Narcissus species dermatitis. Can be fatal.
Gastrointestinal tract and kidneys affected.
Daphne Daphne species May cause dermatitis.

Datura Brugmansia species Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Atropa belladonna Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Deadly nightshade Delphinium species
Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Delphinium (seeds, young Solanum hispidium Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten.
plants) Dieffenbachia species May cause dermatitis. Tremors, seizures, loss
Devil’s fig of balance, asphyxiation. Can be fatal.
Dieffenbachia Vomiting and diarrhoea.
Causes diarrhoea and oral irritation if eaten.
Dragon tree Dracaena species May cause dermatitis. Tremors, seizures, loss
Dumb cane Dieffenbachia amaena of balance, asphyxiation. Can be fatal.
Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Dwarf morning glory Convolvulus tricolor (Especially poisonous to cats).
Easter lily Lilium longiflorum Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Echium Echium species allergy.

Elder (leaves, root, bark) Sambuccus species Nausea and vomiting.
Elderberry Sambucus canadensis Intense burning, irritation and swelling of the
Elephant ears Bergenia species mouth and throat. If tongue swells enough to
block air passage can be fatal.
English ivy (berries & Hedera helix Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause
leaves) dermatitis.
European spindle Euonymus europaeus Harmful if eaten in quantity.
False hellebore (roots, Veratrum album Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
seeds, leaves)
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 diarrhoea and oral irritation if eaten.
May cause dermatitis.
Gaultheria Gaulthera mucronata Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Geranium Geranium species
German ivy (berries & Delairea odorata Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause
leaves) dermatitis.
German primula Gloriosa superba Toxic if eaten. May cause skin allergy.
Glory lily Laburnum Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Golden chain (seed Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.

capsules) Aquilegia vulgaris Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Granny’s bonnets Nandina domestica
Heavenly bamboo Helleborus species Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Hellebores Heliotropum arborescens Upset stomach, tremors, seizures, loss of
Heliotrope Tsuga species balance.
Hemlock Hyposcyamus niger Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Henbane Hibiscus species
Hibiscus Ilex species
Holly (berries)
Aesculus hippocastanum
Horse chestnut (nuts,
leaves) Monstera deliciosa Varied toxic effects. Causes diarrhoea and
Hurricane plant (bulb) oral irritation if eaten. May cause dermatitis.
Hyacinthus orientalis Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Hyacinth (bulbs) allergy.
Hydrangea species
Hydrangea Iris species Severe digestive upset. May cause dermatitis.
Iris (roots) Hedera helix Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Ivy (entire plant) Arisaema species Causes burning to the mouth. Can cause
Jack in the pulpit hallucinations.
Euonymus sieboldianus Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Japanese spindle Taxus species
Japanese yew Cestrum species Digestive disturbance. Gastrointestinal tract
Jessamine (berries & sap) and nervous system affected. Can be fatal.
Solanum Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause
Jerusalem Cherry pseudocapsicum dermatitis.
(immature growths) Datura stramonium Abnormal thirst, distorted sight, delirium,
Jimson weed (Thorn incoherence, coma. Can be fatal.
Apple) Narcissus species
Jonquil (bulb) Juniperus species Depression, rapid breathing, teeth grinding,
Juniper Kalanchoe species ataxia, paralysis
Kalanchoe Haemolytic anaemia, goitre, possible reduced
Brassica oleracea fertility
Kale Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Caltha palustris Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Kingcup Laburnum anagyroides Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Laburnum (leaves, seeds) Lantana camara Digestive upset, nervousness, depression.
Lantana Delphinium species Cardiovascular system affected. May cause
Larkspur (young plants & dermatitis. Can be fatal.
seeds) Prunus species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Helleborus orientalis Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Laurel Belamcanda species Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Lenton rose May cause a skin allergy.
Leopard lily Cupressocyparis leylandii Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
allergy.
Leyland cypress Lilium species Harmful if eaten in quantity.

Lily

Lily of the valley (leaves, Convallaria species Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
flowers, roots)
Lily of the valley bush Pieris japonica Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Lobelia Lobelia species allergy.
Nausea and weakness
Locust Robinia species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Lupin (leaves, seeds) Lupinus species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Mallow Lavatera species
Maple Tree Acer species Contains hallucinogens.
Marijuana Cannabis sativa Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Marsh marigold Caltha palustris Severe diarrhoea. Nervous system affected.
May apple (apples, roots, Podophyllum peltatum
foliage)
Meadow rue Thalistrum delavayi Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Mezereon Daphne mezereum
Milkweed Ascepias syriaca Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Phoradendron flavescens allergy.
Mistletoe (berries) Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause
Aconitum napellus dermatitis. If eaten by a puppy, a few berries
Monkshood Ipomea species can be fatal.
Digestive upset and nervous excitement.
Morning glory (seeds, Cardiovascular system affected.
roots) Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Moroccan broom
Mother-in-law’s tongue Cytisus battandieri Harmful if eaten in quantity.
(leaves) Dieffenbachia amaena
Causes diarrhoea 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, diarrhoea. May cause
dermatitis. Can be fatal.
Needlepoint ivy (berries & Nerine bowdenii Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause
leaves) Solanum species dermatitis.
Nerine Quercus species
Nightshades Intense digestive disturbances. Can be fatal.
Oak tree (foliage & acorns) Affects kidneys. Symptoms appear after
several days.
Oleander Nerium oleander Affects the heart, produces severe digestive
upset, extremely poisonous. May cause
Onion Allium species dermatitis. Can be fatal.
Causes anemia. Onions should not be fed
Paspalum (seeds) Paspalum species to dogs in any form.
Pasque flower Pulsatilla vulgaris Dermatitis
Peace lily Spathiphyllum species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause
Peach (stones & leaves) Prunus persica dermatitis.
Contain cyanide.

Pencil cactus Opuntia leptocaulis Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Peony (roots) Paeonia species allergy.
Peruvian lily Chlidanthus fragans Causes diarrhoea and oral irritation if eaten.
May cause dermatitis.
Philodendron Philodendron species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
(leaves) Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, delirium. Sap
Pineapple broom Cytisus battandieri can cause irritation and if rubbed in eyes,
Poinsettia (leaves, stems & blindness. May also cause dermatitis.
sap) Euphorbia pulcherrima Nervous system affected. May cause
dermatitis. Can be fatal.
Poison hemlock Conium maculatum Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering
dermatitis if they come into contact with skin.
Poison ivy (leaves, bark & Toxicodendron radicans May cause dermatitis.
fruit) Toxicodendron
Poison oak (leaves, bark & Toxicodendron vernix Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering
fruit) dermatitis if they come into contact with skin.
Poison sumac Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Pokeroot Phytolacca americana Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Pokeweed Phytolacca americana
Poppy (unripe seedpod) Papaver species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Potato (green skin & Solanum tuberosum Upset stomach. May cause dermatitis.
sprouts) Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Prickly poppy Argemone mexicana Causes kidney failure and liver damage which
Primrose (leaves) Primula vulgaris is irreversible. Minute doses fatal, often
Privet (leaves) Ligustrum species wrongly diagnosed.
Ragwort Senecio species Causes kidney failure. Can be fatal.
Haemolytic anaemia, blindness, damage to
Raisins Brassicus napus nervous system, digestive disorders, breathing
Rape problems
Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Red-ink plant Phytolacca americana Nausea, vomiting, depression, difficulty
Rhododendron Rhododendron species breathing and coma. Can be fatal.
Large amounts of raw or cooked leaves can
Rhubarb (leaves) Rheum species cause convulsions and coma. Can be fatal.
Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Rosebay Rhododendron aureum Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Rose periwinkle Catharanthus roseus Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Rue Ruta graveolens May cause a skin allergy.
Can be fatal
Sago palm Cycas revoluta Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Savin Juniperus sabina Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Schefflera Brassaia actinophylla allergy.
Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Silkweed Asclepias species
Snowdrops Galanthus species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Solomon’s seal Polygonatum

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 Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Sweet pea (stem) Lathyrus odoratus Causes diarrhoea and oral irritation if eaten.
Swiss cheese plant Monstera deliciosa May cause dermatitis.
Causes diarrhoea and oral irritation if eaten.
Taro vine Monstera deliciosa May cause dermatitis.
(Especially poisonous to cats)
Tiger lily Lilium Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Tobacco plant (leaves) Nicotiana
Tobira Pittosporum tobira Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Tomato plant (green fruit, Lycopersicon allergy.
stem & leaves) lycospersicum Toxic if eaten, causing vomiting, diarrhoea.
Tulip Tulipa species Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering
dermatitis if they come into contact with skin.
Umbrella plant Schlefflera species
Varnish tree Toxicodendron Violent painful convulsions. Can be fatal.
vernicifluum Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering
Walnut (green hull juice) Juglans nigra dermatitis if they come into contact with skin.
Water hemlock Cicuta maculata
Wax tree Toxicodendron Gasping, excitement, prostration. Can be
succedaneum fatal.
Weeping fig Ficus species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Wild cherry tree (twigs & Prunus avium Nausea, repeated vomiting, stomach pains,
foliage) severe diarrhoea, dehydration and collapse.
Windflower Anemone species Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Wisteria (pods, seeds) Wisteria Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.

Wolfsbane Aconitum septentrionale Dizziness, dry mouth and mydriasis develop
Woody nightshade within one hour, followed by abdominal
Yarrow Achillea species cramping, salivation and vomiting. Foliage is
Yew (berries & foliage) Taxus species more fatal than berries, death can be sudden
without warning or symptoms. Can be fatal.

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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