There are over 700 plants that could kill or injure your dog or cat! Some could well be growing in your yard right now. Here is a comprehensive list of plants that could injure or kill your beloved pet.
The list included here cannot possibly begin to cover every single poisonous plant in existence. Also, some of these plants are much more toxic than others. It is important to use your best judgment when determining whether or not these plants should remain in your home or garden. Consider your personal situation and the normal behavior of your pets. If you keep any of these plants in areas that cannot be accessed by your pet, or if you have a pet that has never bothered with getting into your plants in the past, then it is likely you shouldn't have a problem with keeping those particular plants in a home with pets.
The most important thing for you do to when assessing your current plant situation is to dig a little bit deeper and find out exactly how toxic certain plants can be and how they can affect your animal.
The 10 Most Common Poisonous Plants:
Marijuana - Animals who attempt to snack on this plant can suffer serious consequences such as diarrhea, vomiting, increased heart rate, drooling, in-coordination, and even possibly seizures and coma.
Sago Palm - While the seeds and nuts of this plant are most poisonous, the entire plant is toxic. Animals ingesting parts of this plant may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, depression, seizures and liver failure.
Lilies - Plants of the lily variety are very poisonous to cats. Even very small amounts of this plant could cause serious kidney damage.
Tulips - The toxic portion of this plant is the actual bulb, which can cause drooling, central nervous system depression, gastrointestinal irritation, cardiac issues and convulsions.
Azalea - The toxins in azalea plants can be very severe and potentially cause drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, central nervous system weakening and depression, and in some cases possibly coma or death.
Oleander - All portions of this plant are poisonous and can cause gastrointestinal irritation, hypothermia, heart problems and possibly death.
Castor Bean - Poisoning as a result of this plant can cause abdominal pain, drooling, diarrhea, vomiting increased thirst, loss of appetite and weakness. More serious cases could also lead to dehydration, tremors, seizures, twitching muscles, coma and possibly death.
Cyclamen - The most poisonous portion of this plant is located in the root. Ingestion of the plant can cause severe vomiting and gastrointestinal irritation. In some cases death has been reported as a result.
Kalanchoe - Ingestion of this plant can cause gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac rhythm and rate problems.
Yew - Poisoning as a result of the yew plant can affect the nervous system and cause in-coordination, trembling and breathing difficulties. It may also result in gastrointestinal irritation, cardiac failure and could possibly lead to death.
The most well-known and common plants that can be poisonous or toxic to pets.
Aconite - Is a garden flower whose roots, foliage and seeds can be poisonous.
Apple - The seeds of an apple can be poisonous to pets.
Arrowgrasses - These are marsh type plants whose leaves contain poisons.
Atropa Belladonna - This is a type of garden herb in which the entire plant can be poisonous to pets, especially its seeds and roots.
Autumn Crocus - This is a commonly found garden flower in which the entire plant can be poisonous.
Baneberry - This is a wildflower whose berries and roots are the poisonous portions.
Bird of Paradise - This is a garden flower whose pods are poisonous.
Black Locust - This is a tree in which the entire plant can be poisonous, especially the bark and shoots.
Bloodroot - Is a wildflower and herb whose stem and roots are most poisonous, however the entire plant is toxic.
Box - Is an ornamental shrub that is poisonous in its entirety, but especially the leaves.
Buckeye - This is a tree whose sprouts, nuts and seeds contain poisons.
Buttercup - This is a wildflower and garden herb that is poisonous in its entirety but mostly in the leaves.
Caladium - Is a houseplant that is poisonous in its entirety.
Carolina Jessamine - This is an ornamental plant whose flowers and leaves contain poisons.
Chinaberry Tree - Is a tree whose berries are poisonous.
Chockcherries - This is a wild shrub whose poisonous parts include the leaves, cherries and pit.
Christmas Rose - Is a garden flower that contains toxic leaves and rootstock.
Common Privet - Is an ornamental shrub whose leaves and berries can be poisonous.
Corn Cockle - Is a wildflower and weed whose seeds are particularly poisonous.
Cowbane - This is a wildflower and herb that is poisonous in its entirety, especially the roots.
Cow Cockle - Is a wildflower and weed whose seeds are poisonous.
Cowslip - Is a wildflower and herb whose entire plant is poisonous, especially the leaves and stem.
Daffodil - Is a garden flower whose bulbs are poisonous.
Daphne - This is an ornamental shrub that contains poisonous bark, berries and leaves.
Death Camas - This is a field herb whose poisonous parts include the leaves, stems, seeds and flowers.
Delphinium - Is a wildflower that is poisonous in its entirety, especially the sprouts.
Dumbcane - This is a houseplant and is poisonous in its entirety.
Dutchman's Breeches - Is a wild and garden flower whose roots and foliage are poisonous.
Elderberry - Is a tree whose poisonous parts include the leaves, bark, roots and buds.
Elephant's Ear - This is a houseplant poisonous in its entirety.
English Ivy - Is an ornamental vine that is completely poisonous but especially the leaves and berries.
European Bittersweet - This is a vine poisonous in its entirety but especially in the berries.
False Flax - Is a wild herb whose seeds are poisonous.
False Hellebore - Is an ornamental flower whose roots, leaves and seeds are toxic.
Fan Weed - This is a wildflower and herb whose seeds are poisonous.
Field Peppergrass - Is a wildflower and herb that contains poisonous seeds.
Flax - Is a wildflower and herb whose seedpods contain poisons.
Foxglove - This is a wild and garden flower whose leaves are poisonous.
Holly - Is a shrub containing poisonous berries.
Horsechestnut - Is a tree containing poisonous nuts and sprouts.
Horse Nettle - Is a wildflower and herb poisonous in its entirety, especially the berries.
Hyacinth - This is a wild and houseplant whose bulbs are poisonous.
Iris - Is a wild and garden flower whose leaves and roots are poisonous.
Jack-in-the-Pulpit - Is a wildflower that is entirely poisonous, especially the leaves and roots.
Jatropha - This is a tree and shrub whose seeds are poisonous.
Jerusalem Cherry - Is an ornamental plant whose un-ripened fruit and foliage are poisonous.
Jimsonweed - Is a field plant that is entirely poisonous, especially the seeds.
Laburum - Is an ornamental plant whose seeds, pods and flowers can be poisonous.
Lantana - Is a houseplant whose foliage is poisonous.
Larkspur - Is a wildflower that is poisonous only as a young plant.
Laurels - This is a type of shrub with poisonous leaves.
Lupines - Is a shrub whose seeds and pods are poisonous.
Manchineel Tree - A tree containing poisonous sap and fruit.
Matrimony Vine - An ornamental vine containing poisonous leaves and shoots.
Mayapple - A wildflower poisonous in the form of its un-ripened fruit as well as the foliage and roots.
Milk Vetch - A wildflower poisonous in its entirety.
Mistletoe - A houseplant with poisonous berries.
Monkshood - A wildflower poisonous in its entirety, especially the roots and seeds.
Moodseed - A vine whose fruit and roots are poisonous.
Morning Glory - Is a wildflower containing poisonous seeds and roots.
Mountain Mahogany - Is a shrub with poisonous leaves.
Mustards - These are wildflowers whose seeds can be poisonous.
Narcissus - This is a garden flower whose bulbs contain poisons.
Nicotiana - Is a garden flower whose leaves are poisonous.
Nightshade - Is a wildflower and vine with poisonous leaves and berries.
Oaks - Are trees with poisonous leaves and shoots.
Philodendrons - Are houseplants poisonous in their entirety.
Pokeweed - Is a field plant containing poisonous roots, seeds and berries.
Poinsettia - Is a houseplant with poisonous leaves, flowers and stems.
Poison Hemlock - This is a field plant containing poisonous leaves, stems and fruit.
Potato - A garden plant whose shoots and sprouts can be poisonous.
Rattle Box - Is a wildflower that is entirely poisonous.
Rhododendron - Is an ornamental shrub whose leaves are poisonous.
Rhubarb - A garden plant with poisonous leaves.
Rosary Pea - Is a houseplant whose seeds are poisonous.
Skunk Cabbage - This is a marsh plant whose entire plant is poisonous but especially the roots and leaves.
Smart Weeds - Are wildflowers containing poisonous sap.
Snow-on-the-Mountain - This is a wildflower whose sap is poisonous.
Sorghum - Is a type of grass whose leaves are poisonous.
Star of Bethlehem - Is a wildflower poisonous in its entirety.
Velvet Grass - A variety of grass whose leaves are poisonous.
Wild Black Cherry - Is a tree with poisonous leaves and pits.
Wild Radish - A wildflower with poisonous seeds.
Wisteria - Is an ornamental plant containing poisonous seeds and pods.
Woody Aster - A wildflower whose entire plant is poisonous.
Yellow Jessamine - An ornamental vine that is entirely poisonous.
Yellow Pine Flax - A wildflower poisonous in its entirety but especially in the seedpods.
NOTE: If you suspect that your pet has been poisoned, contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. This is 24 hour a day hotline. (Note that in some cases a consultation fee may be charged to your credit card.)
This list has been compiled using the following sources:
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Toronto Humane Society
St. John's Poison Resource Center
Humane Society of the United States
by Dawn Forster for Earth Clinic, LLC
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