TOXIC PLANTS FOR DOGS

Here are some of the toxic plants you should keep away from your pets. If you suspect that your dog might have eaten any plant that might be toxic, contact his/her vet immediately. Many common house and garden plants can be toxic to animals if swallowed. The symptoms can be diarrhea, nausea, or skin allergies.

Toxic or Slightly Toxic Plants

Name

Parts

Clinical Signs

Apricot

Stem, bark, seed pits

Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)

All parts, mostly leaves

Stomach irritation, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rate and rhythm, convulsions, coma, some death.

Bird of Paradise

Fruit, seeds

Boston Ivy

All parts

Caladium

All parts

Creeping Charlie (Glecoma hederacea L.)

All parts

Sweating, drooling, usually not fatal.

Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)

All part but mostly seeds, if chewed

Nausea, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, tenesmus, dehydration, shortness of breath, excessive thirst, weakness, muscle twitching, convulsions, coma.

Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana)

Leaves, seed pits, stems, bark

Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)

Bulbs

Daphne

Berries, bark, leaves

English Ivy (Hedera helix L.)

Leaves, berries

Stomach irritation, diarrhea, troubled breathing, coma, death.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea L.)

Leaves, seeds, flowers

Glacier Ivy

Leaves, berries

Heartleaf

All parts

Hemlock, Water (Cicuta maculata L.)

All parts, root and root stalk

Dilated pupils, frothing at the mouth, spasms muscles spasms, restlessness, convulsions, and death (within 15 min to 2 hours)

Hyacinth (Hyacinth orientalis)

Bulbs, leaves, flowers

Colic, vomiting and diarrhea, usually not fatal.

Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)

Leaves, buds

Irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract, diarrhea, bloody stool.

Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum L.)

All parts, unripe fruit

Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense)

Leaves and stems, especially young plants.

Breathing problems, severe anxiety, convulsions, coma, death. Intravenous antidote exsist.

Jimson Weed (Datura stramonium L.)

All parts

Rapid pulse, rapid breathing, dilated pupils, restlessness, nervousness, twitching, frequent urination, diarrhea, depression, weight loss, weak pulse, convulsions, coma, death.

Jonquil

Bulbs

Lantana (Lantana camara L.)

Leaves and berries

Sluggishness, weakness, bloody diarrhea. In severe cases, death may occur in 2 to 4 days.

Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis)

All parts

Mandrake

Roots, foliage, unripe fruit

Mistletoe

Berries

Morning Glory

Seeds

Marble Queen

All parts

Nightshade (Solanum spp.)

All parts

Hallucinations, severe intestinal disturbances, diarrhea, drowsiness, numbness, dilated pupils, trembling, labored breathing, nasal discharge, rapid heartbeat, weak pulse, incoordination, paralysis or severe shaking of the rear legs, rapid heart rate, bloat, can be fatal.

Nephthytis, Arrowhead Vine

All parts

Oats, (Avena sativa)

All parts

Breathing difficulty, skin irritation, paralysis, convulsions, death (rare).

Pigweed, Redroot (Amaranthus retroflexus)

Leaves, stems, roots.

Troubled breathing, trembling, weakness, coma, death.

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

Leaves, flowers

Not lethal, but can cause skin, mouth, eye, and stomach irritation.

Pokeweed, Inkberry

All parts

Colic, diarrhea, blood in stool, rare cases anemia, and possible death.

Parlor Ivy

All parts

Red Sage

Green berries

Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum)

Leaves

Staggering, trembling, breathing difficulties, weakness, diarrhea, increased drinking and urinating, death.

Red Princess

All parts

Saddleleaf

All parts

Tulip (Tulipa spp.)

Bulbs

Umbrella Plant

All parts

Yew, English (Taxus baccata) and Japanese (Taxus cuspidata Sieb. & Zucc.)

n/a

Breathing problems, trembling, weakness, heart problems, stomach upset, very sudden death.