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dog smelling sunflower

Paws Off! Which Plants Are Poisonous to Dogs?

Dogs love being outside and who can blame them? The garden is their happy place; a world full of smells to sniff, grass to roll in, and the perfect spot to do their business. Whether it's your back garden or your living room jungle of houseplants, these are the spaces they explore daily. But something we don’t always think about is whether the plants in and around our home are healthy for our four-legged friends.


We know that dogs can be sneaky little ninjas. Turn your back for two seconds and they’ve nose-dived into a flower bed, rooted around your planters, or even helped themselves to that lovely bouquet on the kitchen table. And it’s cute… until it’s dangerous.


Because unfortunately, some common plants and flowers can be poisonous to dogs. And depending on the plant and how much they've ingested, the consequences can range from an upset tummy to something much more serious, even life-threatening

Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to greenery for good. You can absolutely still have a beautiful, vibrant home and garden and keep it safe for your pup. It’s just about making smart, informed choices next time you’re browsing the garden centre. So without further ado, let’s explore some common flowers and plants poisonous to dogs.

Plants & Flowers That Are Poisonous to Dogs

Alliums


Alliums include onions, garlic, chives, and leeks which are common in gardens and kitchens. They might smell great to us, but for dogs, they’re a no-go. All parts, especially the bulbs, can cause serious stomach upset, weakness, and even damage to red blood cells, leading to anaemia.


Aloe 


That spiky succulent you see in many homes is great for humans but toxic to dogs. If your dog munches on aloe, they might get vomiting, diarrhoea, and skin irritation.


Amaryllis 


A favourite winter bulb with striking flowers, if dogs nibble on the bulbs or leaves of Amaryllis they can experience vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.


Autumn crocus 


Delicate-looking but deadly, this plant contains colchicine, which can cause severe vomiting, diarrhoea, organ failure, and even death in dogs.

alliums
aloe
amaryllis
autumn crocus

Azaleas and Rhododendrons


These vibrant shrubs are popular in gardens but poisonous to dogs. Even a few leaves can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, and potentially serious heart problems.


Bergenia


Known as “pig squeak” for the sound its leaves make when rubbed, bergenia has tough, leathery leaves. It contains compounds that can upset your dog’s stomach if eaten.


Bleeding Heart 


This pretty plant with heart-shaped flowers is charming but poisonous. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and lethargy in dogs.


Chrysanthemum 


Although bright and cheerful Chrysanthemum contains toxins that can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, and skin irritation.

azaleas
bergenia
bleeding heart
chrysanthemum

Cordyline 


A popular ornamental plant with sword-shaped leaves, but if your dog chews on it, they might suffer vomiting, loss of appetite, and depression.


Cotoneaster 


This shrub has small berries that dogs find tempting but are toxic. Eating the berries can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, and heart issues.


Crocuses 


Spring bulbs with beautiful flowers, but some crocus species contain toxins that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and tremors in dogs.


Daffodil 


These sunny yellow flowers we often see in spring contain lycorine, a toxic alkaloid. Dogs chewing on bulbs or leaves may vomit, have diarrhoea, and drool excessively.

cordyline
cotoneaster
crocuses
daffodil

Delphinium 


These are tall spikes of blue or purple flowers that are stunning but poisonous to dogs. Ingesting parts can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, and even heart problems.


Dracaena 


Common houseplants with long, strap-like leaves. They are poisonous to dogs, causing vomiting, drooling, and loss of appetite.


Dumbcane 


Known for its large, patterned leaves, dumbcane contains calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth, throat, and stomach, causing swelling, drooling, and difficulty swallowing.


Foxglove


Tall and elegant, foxgloves contain cardiac glycosides that can cause serious heart issues, vomiting, diarrhoea, and even death if ingested.

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delphinium
dracaena
foxglove

Geranium 


These are popular garden flowers that can cause mild to moderate vomiting, diarrhoea, and depression in dogs if eaten.


Giant Hogweed 


This towering plant secretes sap that causes severe skin burns and blistering. Ingestion can also cause severe gastrointestinal upset.


Grape vines 


Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, even in small amounts. Keep grapes and grapevine parts away from your furry friend.


Heavenly bamboo


Not a true bamboo, this shrub produces bright red berries that are poisonous to dogs, causing vomiting and diarrhoea.

geranium
giant hogweed
grape vines
heavenly bamboo

Hellebores


This is also known as the Winter or Christmas rose with lovely blooms, but can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and lethargy if eaten by dogs.


Holly 


Famous for Christmas decorations, holly’s leaves and berries are toxic, leading to vomiting, diarrhoea, and sometimes depression.


Horse chestnut 


These spiky nuts are a hazard if swallowed, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, and potential blockage.


Hyacinth


These are beautiful spring flowers with fragrant blooms, but bulbs and leaves are toxic and can cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

hellebores
holly
horse chestnut
hyacinth

Hydrangea 


Another popular garden shrubs with large flower clusters but another that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and depression in our beloved pups.


Iris and Gladioli 


These are two elegant but toxic flowers, again causing vomiting, diarrhoea, and skin irritation.


Ivy 


This common climbing plant with shiny green leaves is another one poisonous to dogs and eating can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.


Laburnum 


A golden chain of flowers that are poisonous to dogs with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness.

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iris
ivy
laburnum

Laurel including Cherry Laurel 


The leaves and berries of Laurel are toxic, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing difficulty, and even death.


Lilies 


While highly toxic to cats, some lilies can also cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs.


Mistletoe 


Often hung as decoration around the winter season, mistletoe’s berries and leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, and slowed heartbeat.


Mushrooms/Fungi 


Wild mushrooms can be deadly if ingested by dogs, causing vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and liver failure.

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laurel
mistletoe
fungi

Nightshade 


Also called deadly nightshade, this one contains toxic alkaloids causing dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhoea, and seizures.


Oak 


Acorns and leaves contain tannins which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and kidney damage if eaten in large amounts.


Oleander 


This is a highly toxic shrub where ingestion of even small amounts can cause severe heart problems, vomiting, and death.


Philodendron 


This is an indoor plant with large leaves that contain calcium oxalate crystals that when ingested can cause mouth irritation and digestive upset.

acorns
nightshade
oleander
philodendron

Poinsettia 


The famous Christmas plant, the Poinsettia isn’t usually deadly but it’s worth noting it can cause mild vomiting and irritation.


Ragwort 


This common wildflower you see in lots of British fields contains toxins that damage the liver, causing lethargy, jaundice, and in severe cases, death.


Rhubarb 


Rhubarb leaves also contact oxalates that can cause kidney failure, vomiting, and diarrhoea.


Sago palm


One of the most poisonous plants for dogs, all parts of the Sago palm are toxic but the seeds especially, causing vomiting, liver failure, seizures, and death.

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ragwort
rhubard
sago palm

Snowdrops 


These pretty winter flowers, often found in woodland areas, can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and drooling when ingested.


Spurge 


This plant contains an irritating sap that causes skin rash and gastrointestinal upset if ingested.


Tulip 


Even the pretty tulip that pops out in spring can be toxic if the bulbs are eaten.

snowdrops
spurge
tulips

Wisteria


Both the vines and seeds of wisteria are poisonous to dogs and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and weakness.


Yew 

Yew is highly toxic and ingestion of even a small amount can cause sudden death due to heart failure.


Yucca 


Finally, the yucca’s leaves contain saponins which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

wisteria
yew
yucca

What Happens If My Dog Eats Poisonous Plants?

As you've seen, each plant comes with its own set of symptoms to watch for, depending on the type and how much your dog has eaten. However, there are some common signs of plant poisoning that every dog owner should be aware of. These include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, lethargy, loss of appetite, tremors, and in some cases, difficulty breathing. You might also notice swelling around the mouth, excessive pawing at the face, or unusual behaviour like stumbling or restlessness.


If you spot any of these symptoms, especially after seeing your dog near a suspicious plant, it’s best to act fast. Remove any remaining plant material from their mouth if you can do so safely, and contact your vet or an emergency animal clinic immediately. Bring a sample or photo of the plant if possible, as it can help the vet identify the toxin and provide the right treatment quickly.


Time really matters in cases of plant poisoning. Some toxins can cause irreversible damage within hours, so don’t wait to see if the symptoms go away on their own. When it comes to your dog’s health, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

corgi in flowers

Dog-Safe Alternatives for Your Home and Garden

Just because some plants are off-limits doesn’t mean your garden or home has to be bare. There are plenty of beautiful, dog-safe plants you can grow that will still bring colour, texture, and scent to your space without any of the worry.


Here are some pet-friendly plants that are generally considered safe for dogs:

  • Camellia – Evergreen with beautiful blooms, perfect for structure and colour.
  • Snapdragons – Vibrant and long-lasting, great for flower beds.
  • Sunflowers – Tall, sunny favourites that are safe and striking in any garden.
  • Roses – A classic garden beauty; the petals are safe, though the thorns can still hurt curious noses!
  • Thyme – A fragrant herb that’s both useful and dog-safe.
  • Basil – Another great herb option for your kitchen garden.
  • Coreopsis – Also known as tickseed, this hardy flower brings a splash of yellow.
  • Spider Plant – A dog-safe houseplant that’s low maintenance and great for purifying air.
  • Polka Dot Plant – Pretty foliage and perfectly pet-friendly for indoor plant lovers.
  • Bamboo Palm – A non-toxic option to add tropical vibes indoors or on patios.
spaniel in lavender

Other Ways to Make Your Garden Dog-Safe

In addition to avoiding poisonous plants, there are a few simple steps you can take to make your outdoor space even safer for your dog:


  • Avoid chemical weed killers and pesticides as these can be toxic if licked off paws or eaten straight from treated grass.
  • Fence off areas with poisonous plants if you absolutely must keep any toxic flora nearby
  • Dogs love to dig so make sure to store bulbs in secure containers or plant in raised beds.
  • An obvious one, but important for the summer months, always provide your pup with shade and fresh water so they’re never at risk of overheating and nibbling plants out of boredom.

Conclusion

Our dogs trust us to keep their world safe and that includes the spaces they love to explore most. While it might be surprising just how many common plants can be harmful, the good news is that with a bit of awareness and planning, it’s completely possible to have a beautiful, dog-friendly garden and home.


Removing poisonous plants from your home and garden is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent accidental poisoning. But safety doesn’t stop at your doorstep. When you’re out walking in parks, woods, or unfamiliar gardens, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on what your dog is sniffing or snacking on. Even wild plants and seasonal blooms can pose a risk.


Ultimately, being informed is your best defence. With the right knowledge and a few proactive choices, you can let your dog roam, sniff, and roll to their heart’s content!


All information sourced from Blue Cross, PDSA and Battersea.

The Author: Charlotte Harris

Charlotte has been a writer and dog owner her whole life, so combining these two things together is a dream come true. Her greatest love is her oversized Golden Retriever, Milo, who has a love of tough chews and anything filled with peanut butter!

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What should I do if my dog eats a poisonous plant?

If you suspect your dog has eaten a toxic plant, don’t wait and contact your vet right away. Try to remove any remaining plant material from their mouth and bring a sample or photo of the plant with you. The quicker your vet can identify the toxin, the better the chances of a full recovery.

Can puppies be more sensitive to poisonous plants?

Yes, puppies are often more vulnerable because they’re smaller and still developing. Plus, they’re curious little explorers who love to chew everything. Even small amounts of a toxic plant can cause a stronger reaction, so it’s extra important to puppy-proof your home and garden.

Is it safe for dogs to eat grass?

Most dogs eat grass occasionally and it's usually harmless. Some do it out of boredom, others just like the taste. However, if your dog is eating grass excessively or is vomiting afterwards, it’s worth checking with your vet.

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