factsheetpoisonoussubstances09-1

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 Diarrhea
Aloe vera Aloe vera Upset stomach, hyperactivity, lethargy, coma,
Amaryllis (bulbs) Hippeastrum shock. Can be fatal.
species
Angels’ trumpets Brugmansia Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
species
Angel wings Caladium Upset stomach, oral irritation, asphyxiation, tremors,
Apple (seeds) species seizures, loss of balance. Can be fatal.
Apple leaf croton Malus species Seeds contain cyanide. Varied toxic effects.
Apricot (kernels)
Prunus Kernels contain cyanide. Can be fatal.
Arborvitae armeniaca
Arrow grasses Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
(leaves) Thuja species allergy.
Asparagus fern
Triglochin Contains a wide variety of poisons resulting in a
Autumn crocus species large range of symptoms.
Avocado (fruit & Asparagus Vomiting, nervous excitement. May cause
pith) setaceus dermatitis.
Crocus Diarrhea, vomiting, laboured breathing. Can be
Azalea (all parts) speciosus fatal.
Persea Nausea, vomiting, depression, difficulty breathing
americana and coma. Can be fatal if eaten in large enough
quantities.
Rhododenron
occidentale

Baby’s breath Gypsophila
paniculata
Barilla (leaves &
stems) Salsola soda

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Bird of paradise Strelitzia reginae Gastrointestinal tract affected by the plant toxins.
(seeds)
Celastrus Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Bittersweet angulatus Poisonous in large amounts, contains convulsants.
May also cause dermatitis.
Bleeding heart Dicentra formosa Harmful if eaten in quantity.
(foliage, roots)
Bluebell Hyacinthoides Upset stomach, heart failure, excitability or lethargy.
Buxus May also cause dermatitis.
Box (leaves) sempervirens Thiamine deficiency, acute haemorrhagic
syndrome, blindness, tumours
Boxwood (leaves, Hebe odora
twigs) Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Pteridium Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. May
Bracken aquilinum cause a skin allergy.
Cytisus species Juice may severely injure digestive system. May
Broom Aesculus also cause dermatitis.
Buckeyes (nuts & species
immature growths) Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Kochia scoparia (as above)
Burning bush
Ranunculus May cause dermatitis. A single Rosary Pea or
Buttercup species one/two Castor bean seeds can be fatal.
Caladium Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May
Caladium species cause dermatitis.
Kalmia species
Calico bush Zantedeschia Kernels contain cyanide.
species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Calla lily (leaves) Euphorbia
lathyris Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Caper Spurge Lobelia
cardinalis May cause dermatitis.
Cardinal flower Ricinus
communis Gastrointestinal tract and nervous system affected
Castor bean Monstera by plant toxins. May cause dermatitis.
(leaves and seeds) deliciosa Similar toxic effects to that of chocolate –
Acalypha hispida hyperactivity, increased heart rate. Can kill if
Ceriman Prunus species enough is eaten.
Prunus Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Chenille Plant laurocerasus
Cherry (kernels) Melia azedarach
Aglaonema
Cherry laurel
Helleborus niger
China Berry
Chinese evergreen Chrysanthemum
Christmas rose species
(leaves, roots) Senecio species
Chrysanthemum Clematis
(leaves & stems) armandii
Cineraria
Agrostemma
Clematis species
Dracaena
Cocoa husks or species
mulch Anemone
species
Corn cockle
(seeds)

Corn plant

Crocus

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Croton Colchicum Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. May
autumnale cause a skin allergy.
Crown vetch Codiaeum
species Gastrointestinal tract affected. Convulsions and
Cuckoo pint paralysis.
Coronilla varia Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. May also cause
Crowfoot dermatitis. Can be fatal.
Arum maculatum Gastrointestinal tract and kidneys affected. May
Cycads cause dermatitis.
Anunculus
Cyclamen species Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Encephalartos
Daffodil (bulbs) species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Cyclamen
Daphne species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Narcissus Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May
Datura species cause dermatitis. Tremors, seizures, loss of
balance, asphyxiation. Can be fatal.
Deadly nightshade Daphne species Vomiting and diarrhea.
Delphinium (seeds, Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May
young plants) Brugmansia cause dermatitis. Tremors, seizures, loss of
Devil’s fig species balance, asphyxiation. Can be fatal.
Atropa Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Dieffenbachia belladonna
Delphinium (Especially poisonous to cats).
Dragon tree species Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Solanum allergy.
Dumb cane hispidium
Nausea and vomiting.
Dwarf morning Dieffenbachia Intense burning, irritation and swelling of the mouth
glory species and throat. If tongue swells enough to block air
Easter lily passage can be fatal.
Dracaena Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause
Echium species dermatitis.
Elder (leaves, root, Harmful if eaten in quantity.
bark) Dieffenbachia
Elderberry amaena Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.

Elephant ears Convolvulus Harmful if eaten in quantity.
tricolor
English ivy Lilium
(berries & leaves) longiflorum
European spindle
False hellebore Echium species
(roots, seeds,
leaves) Sambuccus
Flannel flower species
Sambucus
canadensis

Bergenia species

Hedera helix

Euonymus
europaeus

Veratrum album

Phylica plumosa

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Flax Linum Harmful if eaten in quantity.
usitatissimum Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Foxglove (leaves,
seeds) Digitalis species Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May
Fritillary cause dermatitis.
Fritillaria species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Fruit salad plant Monstera
deliciosa Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause
Gaultheria Gaulthera dermatitis.
mucronata Toxic if eaten. May cause skin allergy.
Geranium Geranium Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
species Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
German ivy Harmful if eaten in quantity.
(berries & leaves) Delairea odorata
German primula Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Glory lily Gloriosa superba
Golden chain Upset stomach, tremors, seizures, loss of balance.
(seed capsules) Laburnum Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Granny’s bonnets Varied toxic effects. Causes diarrhea and oral
Aquilegia irritation if eaten. May cause dermatitis.
Heavenly bamboo vulgaris Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Nandina allergy.
Hellebores domestica
Helleborus Severe digestive upset. May cause dermatitis.
Heliotrope species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Heliotropum Causes burning to the mouth. Can cause
Hemlock arborescens hallucinations.
Tsuga species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Henbane Hyposcyamus
niger Digestive disturbance. Gastrointestinal tract and
Hibiscus Hibiscus species nervous system affected. Can be fatal.
Holly (berries) Ilex species Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause
Horse chestnut Aesculus dermatitis.
(nuts, leaves) hippocastanum Abnormal thirst, distorted sight, delirium,
Hurricane plant Monstera incoherence, coma. Can be fatal.
(bulb) deliciosa
Hyacinthus
Hyacinth (bulbs) orientalis
Hydrangea
Hydrangea species
Iris species
Iris (roots) Hedera helix
Ivy (entire plant) Arisaema
species
Jack in the pulpit Euonymus
sieboldianus
Japanese spindle
Taxus species
Japanese yew
Cestrum species
Jessamine (berries
& sap) Solanum
Jerusalem Cherry pseudocapsicum
(immature
growths) Datura
Jimson weed stramonium
(Thorn Apple) Narcissus
species
Jonquil (bulb)

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Juniper Juniperus Depression, rapid breathing, teeth grinding, ataxia,
species paralysis
Kalanchoe Kalanchoe Haemolytic anaemia, goitre, possible reduced
species fertility
Kale Brassica Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Kingcup oleracea Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Laburnum (leaves, Caltha palustris Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
seeds) Laburnum Digestive upset, nervousness, depression.
Lantana anagyroides Cardiovascular system affected. May cause
Larkspur (young Lantana camara dermatitis. Can be fatal.
plants & seeds) Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Laurel Delphinium Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Lenton rose species Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. May
cause a skin allergy.
Leopard lily Prunus species Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Helleborus allergy.
Leyland cypress orientalis Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Lily Belamcanda
Lily of the valley species Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
(leaves, flowers, Cupressocyparis
roots) leylandii Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Lily of the valley Lilium species allergy.
bush Nausea and weakness
Lobelia Convallaria Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Locust species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Lupin (leaves,
seeds) Pieris japonica Contains hallucinogens.
Mallow Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Maple Tree Lobelia species Severe diarrhea. Nervous system affected.
Marijuana
Marsh marigold Robinia species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
May apple (apples,
roots, foliage) Lupinus species Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Meadow rue allergy.
Lavatera species Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause
Mezereon Acer species dermatitis. If eaten by a puppy, a few berries can
Cannabis sativa be fatal.
Milkweed Caltha palustris Digestive upset and nervous excitement.
Podophyllum Cardiovascular system affected.
Mistletoe (berries) peltatum
Thalistrum Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Monkshood delavayi
Daphne Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Morning glory mezereum Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May
(seeds, roots) cause dermatitis. Tremors, seizures, loss of
Ascepias syriaca
Moroccan broom
Mother-in-law’s Phoradendron
tongue (leaves) flavescens

Aconitum
napellus

Ipomea species

Cytisus
battandieri
Dieffenbachia
amaena

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Mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia balance, asphyxiation. Can be fatal.
Naked ladies Colchium Harmful if eaten in quantity.
species
Narcissus Narcissus Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Needlepoint ivy (bulbs) Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. May cause dermatitis.
(berries & leaves) Can be fatal.
Nerine Nerine bowdenii Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause
Nightshades Solanum species dermatitis.
Oak tree (foliage &
acorns) Quercus species Intense digestive disturbances. Can be fatal.
Affects kidneys. Symptoms appear after several
Oleander Nerium oleander days.
Affects the heart, produces severe digestive upset,
Onion Allium species extremely poisonous. May cause dermatitis. Can be
fatal.
Paspalum (seeds) Paspalum Causes anemia. Onions should not be fed to
species dogs in any form.
Pasque flower Pulsatilla
vulgaris Dermatitis
Peace lily Spathiphyllum
Peach (stones & species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
leaves) Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause
Pencil cactus Prunus persica dermatitis.
Peony (roots) Contain cyanide.
Opuntia
Peruvian lily leptocaulis Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Paeonia species allergy.
Philodendron
Chlidanthus Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May
Pineapple broom fragans cause dermatitis.
Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Poinsettia (leaves, Philodendron Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, delirium. Sap can
stems & sap) species (leaves) cause irritation and if rubbed in eyes, blindness.
Cytisus May also cause dermatitis.
Poison hemlock battandieri Nervous system affected. May cause dermatitis.
Poison ivy (leaves, Can be fatal.
bark & fruit) Euphorbia Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering dermatitis if
Poison oak pulcherrima they come into contact with skin.
(leaves, bark &
fruit) Conium May cause dermatitis.
Poison sumac maculatum
Toxicodendron Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering dermatitis if
Pokeroot radicans they come into contact with skin.

Pokeweed Toxicodendron Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Poppy (unripe
seedpod) Toxicodendron Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Potato (green skin vernix
& sprouts) Phytolacca Harmful if eaten in quantity.
americana
Phytolacca
americana

Papaver species

Solanum
tuberosum

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Prickly poppy Argemone Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Primrose (leaves) mexicana Upset stomach. May cause dermatitis.
Privet (leaves) Primula vulgaris Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Ligustrum Causes kidney failure and liver damage which is
Ragwort species irreversible. Minute doses fatal, often wrongly
diagnosed.
Raisins Senecio species Causes kidney failure. Can be fatal.
Rape Haemolytic anaemia, blindness, damage to nervous
Brassicus napus system, digestive disorders, breathing problems
Red-ink plant Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Phytolacca Nausea, vomiting, depression, difficulty breathing
Rhododendron americana and coma. Can be fatal.
Rhododendron Large amounts of raw or cooked leaves can cause
Rhubarb (leaves) species convulsions and coma. Can be fatal.
Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Rosebay Rheum species
Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Rose periwinkle Rhododendron
aureum Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. May
Rue Catharanthus cause a skin allergy.
roseus Can be fatal
Sago palm Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Savin Ruta graveolens Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Schefflera allergy.
Cycas revoluta Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Silkweed Juniperus sabina
Brassaia Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Snowdrops actinophylla May cause vomiting and salivation.
Solomon’s seal Asclepias
Spider plant species Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Spruce Tree Galanthus allergy.
Spurge species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Squill Polygonatum Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Star-of-Bethlehem Chlorophytum
(bulbs) species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
Starflower Picea species
Euphorbia Harmful if eaten in quantity.
St Johns Wort species
Scilla species Harmful if eaten in quantity.
String of Ornithogalum
pearls/beads species Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May
Smilacina cause dermatitis.
Sweet pea (stem) stellata Causes diarrhea and oral irritation if eaten. May
Hypericum cause dermatitis.
Swiss cheese plant perforatum
Senecio
Taro vine rowleyanus or
herreianus

Lathyrus
odoratus

Monstera
deliciosa
Monstera
deliciosa

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Tiger lily Lilium (Especially poisonous to cats)
Tobacco plant Harmful if eaten in quantity.
(leaves) Nicotiana
Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin
Tobira Pittosporum allergy.
tobira Toxic if eaten, causing vomiting, diarrhea.
Tomato plant Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering dermatitis if
(green fruit, stem & Lycopersicon they come into contact with skin.
leaves) lycospersicum
Rapid-onset violent convulsions. Can be fatal
Tulip Tulipa species Violent painful convulsions. Can be fatal.
Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering dermatitis if
Umbrella plant Schlefflera they come into contact with skin.
species
Varnish tree Toxicodendron Gasping, excitement, prostration. Can be fatal.
vernicifluum
Walnut (green hull Harmful if eaten in quantity.
juice) Juglans nigra Nausea, repeated vomiting, stomach pains, severe
Water Dropwort diarrhea, dehydration and collapse.
(Hemlock) Oenanthe Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Water hemlock crocata Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting.
Cicuta maculata
Wax tree Toxicodendron Dizziness, dry mouth and mydriasis develop within
succedaneum one hour, followed by abdominal cramping,
Weeping fig salivation and vomiting. Foliage is more fatal than
Ficus species berries, death can be sudden without warning or
Wild cherry tree symptoms. Can be fatal.
(twigs & foliage) Prunus avium

Windflower Anemone
species
Wisteria (pods,
seeds) Wisteria

Wolfsbane Aconitum
septentrionale
Woody nightshade
Yarrow Achillea species

Yew (berries & Taxus species
foliage)

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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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