A Pet Owner’s Guide to Plants That Are Dangerous for Your Pets

Here at Doglyness, we’re forever championing the benefits of plants. These botanical wonders bring life, color, and a touch of nature into our homes and gardens. However, while a splash of greenery can enhance our living spaces, certain plants can pose serious risks to our pets. Many houseplants and garden varieties are toxic to animals, causing symptoms ranging from mild irritation to severe illness.

As part of our commitment to animal health, we believe knowledge is key to keeping our beloved pets safe. By understanding which plants are dangerous, pet owners can prevent accidental poisoning and avoid unnecessary emergency vet visits. So, to keep your furry friends safe from harm, let’s take a look at the most common plants that are dangerous for pets.

Common Household Plants That Are Toxic to Pets

Many of these houseplants are firm favorites amongst homeowners, bringing the outside in, and enhancing the feng shui of our living spaces. Do you have any of these plants that are dangerous for dogs and cats in your home? 

Common houseplants that are dangerous for your pets.

1. Philodendron and Pothos are popular houseplants known for their lush, trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves. They’re low-maintenance and great for indoor spaces, but both contain insoluble calcium oxalates – needle-like structures that can embed themselves in a pet’s mouth, leading to irritation in the mouth and throat, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
   
   
2. Aloe Vera is well-known for its soothing and healing properties. While the gel inside the leaves is safe for topical use, the latex layer just beneath the leaf surface contains saponins and anthraquinones which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy in pets. It’s important to note that using dog-safe aloe vera products is perfectly fine – problems only arise if pets chew on or ingest the whole plant.
   
   
3. Snake Plants (Sansevieria) are hardy, low-maintenance houseplants but the tall, upright leaves contain saponins, natural chemicals that can irritate the digestive system of pets when ingested. These compounds can cause abdominal discomfort and lead to an upset stomach. Symptoms to watch for include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
   
   
4. Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) is a popular ornamental plant known for its beautiful, variegated leaves. Like pothos and philodendrons, the leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals and, if ingested, can irritate the mouth and throat and cause excessive drooling, oral swelling, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.

Garden and Outdoor Plants That Are Harmful to Pets

It’s not just our houseplants that pose a threat to animals – the outdoor world is also packed full of plants that are dangerous for your pets!

Popular outdoor plants that are dangerous for your pets.

1. Sago Palm is a popular ornamental plant often used in landscaping, but it is highly toxic to pets, even in small amounts. All parts of the plant, particularly the seeds, contain cycasin, a toxin that can cause severe liver damage. Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, seizures, and liver failure, which can be fatal without prompt treatment.
   
   
2. Lilies (all varieties) are beautiful garden plants commonly found in bouquets and cut flower arrangements, but they are extremely toxic to cats. Even small amounts of ingestion, such as licking pollen from the fur, can lead to kidney failure. Symptoms of lily toxicity include vomiting and lethargy, and if left untreated, can be life-threatening.
   
   
3. Azaleas and Rhododendrons are common landscaping shrubs, but both contain grayanotoxins which disrupt heart function in pets. Ingestion of these toxins can lead to severe reactions, including irregular heart rates and potentially fatal outcomes. Symptoms include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, collapse and coma.
   
   
4. Oleanders may have beautiful flowers, but, if ingested, all parts of the plant can be highly toxic to pets. The culprit is cardiac glycosides, which can cause severe heart issues, including arrhythmias. Symptoms of poisoning include tremors and drooling, and, in high doses, toxicity can be fatal.

Seasonal Plants That Pose Risks

Plants are an integral part of many of our seasonal celebrations, but some can be harmful to pets if ingested.

Holiday Favorites

• Mistletoe, a popular seasonal decoration, is highly toxic to pets if ingested, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and even a slowed heart rate.
• Pine needles from Christmas trees can cause digestive irritation and symptoms including drooling, vomiting, or gastrointestinal discomfort.
• Poinsettias, a festive holiday plant, contain a milky sap that can cause mild irritation in the mouth and digestive system.

Spring and Summer Plants

• Daffodils can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain if ingested by pets.
• Tulips, particularly their bulbs, are dangerous to pets and can cause drooling, nausea, and even heart issues if eaten.
• Hyacinths are toxic to pets, and ingestion of the bulbs can result in gastrointestinal distress, tremors, and other signs of poisoning.

Recognizing Symptoms of Plant Poisoning in Pets

Common symptoms of plant poisoning in pets can include vomiting, drooling, lethargy, seizures, and diarrhea. These signs can vary depending on the type of plant ingested, but any sudden change in your pet's behavior or health should be taken seriously. It's important to recognize that pets may not always show immediate symptoms, but early veterinary intervention can significantly improve the chances of a full recovery.

Pet-friendly Alternatives

While many plants can be harmful to pets, there are plenty of safe alternatives that can brighten up your home without posing a risk to your furry friends:

Some beautiful alternatives that are totally safe around your pets.

• Spider plants, with their trailing growth habit, are easy to care for and help purify the air.
• Areca palms grow into beautiful indoor trees and thrive in low to moderate light.
• Prayer plants have striking, folded leaves that provide vibrant color and texture to any room.
• Boston ferns thrive in humid environments and grow large, making them great for filling corners
• Parlor palms are drought-tolerant and do well in low-light conditions.
• Calatheas are known for their vibrant foliage and prefer moderate light and a humid environment.

With any plant, whether it is toxic to pets or not, there are steps you can take to keep inquisitive animals at bay. It is important to be mindful of where you place your plants, especially in areas where pets tend to explore such as windowsills, low shelves, or on the floor. Use hanging baskets or plant stands to keep foliage out of reach, and make sure plants that are known to be toxic are in rooms that your pets cannot access.

Keep Your Home Safe for Your Pets

Creating a safe environment for your pets is crucial to their overall health and well-being, especially when it comes to the plants they may encounter. Plants undoubtedly add beauty to our homes and gardens, but it is important to remember that some can be toxic to pets. By being aware of which plants are safe and which are harmful, you can prevent accidents and create a pet-friendly space that allows your furry companions to thrive.

At Doglyness, we are committed to prioritizing the health and safety of pets, offering valuable resources and information to guide pet owners in making well-informed decisions. In our mission to share this knowledge with other pet owners, we hope to build a community of responsible pet parents who work together to keep our dogs and cats safe and healthy. We’d love our Doglyness family to join us in spreading awareness about toxic plants, ensuring pets everywhere can enjoy a joyful life safe from harm!