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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
