List of Poisonous Plants for Cats and Dogs

| Modified on Aug 31, 2021
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Remedies to Cure Poisoning in Dogs
Posted by Angela (Leitchfeld, kentucky) on 06/13/2007
★★★★★

re: curing poisioning and stomach toxins: I had a full size male doberman pinscher, was poisoned with antifreeze. Tried to take him to the vet, and would not take him said there was nothing they could do. Well being he was my baby i didn't give up. Someone told me to cook bacon, take the grease, a raw egg, and a lemon lime soda, mix it together and force him to eat it, granted he threw up alot, it was bright neon green, but i kept feeding it to him until it was no longer green, then feed him pedialight for dehydration, he lived and is fine today, it seems to force any toxin that is in their system out.


Lavender
Posted by Maryland (Ca) on 08/30/2021
★★☆☆☆

I sprayed twice something on my dog's paw that has lavender as one of the ingredients, and he licked it while I was clipping his nails. The following day he was having difficulty standing up. I didn't automatically think it was the spray but after he refused to eat beef liver, which he loves, I realized there was something wrong. He will drink water, lots of it, but barely eats. I gave him a capful of hydrogen peroxide 3% to make him throw up and he did within minutes but then one side below his neck became enlarged as if filled with air. It doesn't seem painful to him when I touch it, but he is still lethargic.

Be careful with lavender around your dog. Do not let them ingest it.

Lavender
Posted by JGNY (New York) on 08/31/2021

:( I hope your dog recovers! So sad!


Poinsettia
Posted by Nicole.poisonous2pets (Gold Coast, Australia) on 12/05/2012

Poinsettia can be listed as toxic but it is a low toxicity plant. Your pet can be affected either by contact or by consumption. If your pet has regular contact with the poinsettia symptoms such as eye irritation, conjunctivitis and eye ulceration can be seen. Skin disorders such as dermatitis, skin irritation and blisters can also become evident. If ingested it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Even though it can cause problems in your pet, it is a low toxicity plant as the symptoms are usually quite mild in the sense they can not cause organ damage or death (although they can still be quite distressing).


Trumpet Vine
Posted by Dot (Rosedale, Ms) on 09/01/2011

I have never seen the trumpet vine listed as a poisonous plant. My 9 week old pup ate leaves and chewed on a stem of this plant while in the playyard and may not live. She salivated extremely and is hypersensitive. She also had a seizure, maybe more, since I immediately got her to the vet. What does one do for this plant poisoning? She has been given a steriod shot and benadryl shot upon arrival, and when seizured, was given valium. Also, fluids have been given. What else can be done?

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Mary (Stavanger, Norway) on 04/27/2009
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Tea Tree Oil is an absolute no-no for cats. And Pointsettia should be upgraded to extremely dangerous: our cat was on a drip for two days following ingestion of a small bit of dried up leaf. Apparently grapes (and raisins) are also deadly - we once had a cat who was passionate about fruit cake! This last info comes from FAB - the British charity dedicated to Feline welfare (fabcats.co.uk) where you will find lots of useful information on 'cat management' - and poisons.


Chinaberry
Posted by Candice (Baytown) on 08/31/2015

My dog ate chinaberries and is lethargic throwing up. Is there any home remedies?

Chinaberry
Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 08/31/2015

Hey Candice!

You should take your dog to the vet as this is life threatening.

If you cannot get to the vet, you can try feeding your dog activated charcoal - you can get it at the aquarium store and grind it to a fine powder. See if you can get your dog to take this either mixed in with some broth or home made doggie pedialyte. Bentonite clay would also apply if you cannot find the activated charcoal [or vice versa].

Again, my first choice for chinaberry poisoning is the vet.


Chinaberry
Posted by Soazburrolady (Southern Az) on 09/01/2015

So very sorry you are dealing with a sick pup. Theresa is right. Take your dog to the vet. However, just a quick note from my personal experience with China berry trees (which we call ball bearing trees for obvious reasons). We have multiple such trees on our property, and have for 26 years. Every one of our many dogs over those years has munched on them with no ill effects whatsoever. One dog, who I have now, loves them: eats them at the green stage, and really loves them when they dry. My burros also eat them without consequence. So....is it at all possible there is a different cause for your pup's distress? All the best.


Daylilies, Lilies and Iris
Posted by Kelly (Oakcreek, Wi) on 01/04/2015

Is an Iris leave poison for a puppy/dog? I didn't see it on your poison list..

EC: Kelly, thanks for asking! We're updating our list of poisonous plants to add iris, daylilies and lilies. Many (but not all) varieties are toxic to dogs and cats.


Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Hannidan (Charlotte, Nc) on 04/13/2014
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

On the topic of tea tree oil. It is a deadly poison for cats, which are drawn to the taste/smell. They will even lick residue off pillows. Everyone please be careful. If your cat comes into contact with it you will want to get to a vet pronto.

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 04/16/2014

Hey Hannidan! I have heard about issues with tea tree oil and cats before - yet I found myself confused because I have worked with a vet who specializes in using both arisolized and topical applications of essential oils on pets. The main thing is the quality of the oil; if it is not veterinary grade or human grade, then you should not use it on your pet. "What I recommend when considering essential oil use for cats is to choose oils that are used often, have been used in many cats, and to use them with techniques that cats enjoy. Tea Tree Oil, or Melaleuca alternifolia, is another feline controversy which fascinates me. I have directly communicated with people who have sadly exposed their cat to a poor grade Melaleuca oil, resulting in subsequent seizures and death. Conversely, I have met many cats and have witnessed firsthand a cat receiving 4 drops of Melaleuca oil orally twice a day, followed with blood work, and showing no ill events. I do not necessarily endorse the use of Melaleuca with cats, as there are many other essential oils that can be used in place of this particular oil." Source: http://www.animaleo.info/cats.html


Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Diamond (Ma., US) on 12/29/2014

Animals are known to have very close DNA as humans do, therefore I'm thinking that maybe the cat that died already was sick or other, and the one cat that tolerated the oil may have been healthy.

Sad to say I have adopted an older cat, the experiment via science consisted of testing her with Chlamydia. She is always upset and vomiting, what she does is go out and eat grass, it's a natural remedy for all animals. I cannot imagine any animal being locked up in a house 24/7 with-out having what is called a natural solution for pets that are sick and know what they need/want and cannot get it. I usually bring it in to my pets.

I have yet another rescue; she was a dumpster diver when I adopted her. I give her canned cat food and she throws it up, so I have resided to steaming chicken and giving her a little at a time, three times a day. I add Ester-C to her food once a month and so far and hopefully she is really doing well. With fingers crossed.


Cats Claw Vine
Posted by Concerned Puppy Momma (Chandler, Az) on 04/15/2013

My fiance and I have recently received a pit bull puppy as a gift and she loves to wrestle, tug, and play in the cats claw vines growing on our patio. My biggest concern is these may be harmful to her. I have searched multiple sites and none of them list this vine anywhere. I dont want to just take it as a sign that there is no harm from these without being sure... Can anyone give me some information? Maybe I'm missing something. Thank you.


General Feedback
Posted by Joe (Green Valley, Az) on 08/27/2012

I frequently walk my dogs through the scrub desert east of the Santa Rita mountains along the Santa Cruz river. Upon browsing this site to find out what might be harmful to them, I find a LIST!!!!! No pictures!!!!

Obviously, this does me no good. I would have to know ALL the plants I come across in order to look up and see if they are harmful. A list is useless to me. Where can I find pictures?

General Feedback
Posted by Wendy (Columbus, Oh/usa) on 08/28/2012

Just scroll down from your post at this link and you'll find the link to the ASPCA page of toxic and non-toxic plants:

https://www.earthclinic.com/pets/poisonous_plants.html#GF_84496

Here it is:

http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/poison-control/Plants.aspx


Poinsettia
Posted by Tina (Champlain, Ny) on 01/25/2012

Good afternoon! I just wanted to find out if the Poinsettia is really poisonous to animals. According to the paperwork that has come with our plants, it says that even though the plant can make them sick, they are not poisonous. However, your site says the opposite. Please advise. Thank you

General Feedback
Posted by Mary (Albany, Ny Usa) on 10/07/2011

Are pussy willows poisonous to cats? Mine likes to pick them off, with his teeth, and bat them around the floor of the apartment.

General Feedback
Posted by Sherri (Huntley, Il) on 10/26/2011
★☆☆☆☆

Whoever stated they applied aloe vera to their dogs' hot spot did not check with the Animal poison control" website.

Aloe Vera is Toxic to your dog and to cats etc. when ingested.... Hope band Aid guarantees stickability...

I'm not a vet just someone who double checks all remedies that claim to heal....


General Feedback
Posted by Wendy (Columbus, Oh/USA) on 07/26/2012

Here's the ASPCA link to Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants:

http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/poison-control/Plants.aspx


Trumpet Vine
Posted by Carrie (Northern Calif, Usa) on 09/30/2014

My 60# Staffie was vomiting every few mins throughout the night until only liquid was expelled. Clearly I had to stop the vomiting and could not afford another vet bill. Per Dr Richard Pitcairn's advise in his great book, I bought homeopathic Ipecac, crushed 3 pellets (do not touch) and put it down his throat. This stopped the vomiting within mins! He had a dry cough for days. I called and his vet said the acid and vomiting retching. I tried Hydrogen Peroxide several times but it was like water.


Poison Ivy
Posted by Melanyh (Houston, Tx, Us) on 06/18/2011
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

We have poison ivy in our backyard, which my husband & I know to avoid. We have both had poison ivy more times than I'd like to mention. This summer, our 2 yr old Bull Terrier began getting red spots under her fur and on her stomach. She was itching and nibbling at her skin constantly. She is already treated with an internal & external flea medication, so we couldn't figure out what it was. She was completely miserable - always scratching, itching, and biting herself. She was even losing hair in those itchy areas. I tried a variety of pet products for skin issues, but nothing was working.

One day I was bathing her & I noticed that I had a small patch of poison ivy on my arm. Then it hit me - - she had poison ivy. We have always been told that dogs cannot get poison ivy, but I decided to do a little more research. Almost every site out there will tell you that dogs cannot get it; therefore, there are no remedies for it. I finally found one site that said, "yes, dogs can get poison ivy if the oils get past the fur. " This is why she had most of it on her stomach, where there is little hair. When she scratched, it moved the oils to other parts of her body. My husband & I swear by Burt's Bees Poison Ivy soap(you can find it at WFM). I immediately washed her with this soap, and you can tell she felt better. I washed the affected areas once or twice a day, and her poison ivy went away. Now, it has recently come back because we still have poison ivy in our yard, but now I can nip it in the bud before it gets bad. YES, your dog CAN get poison ivy!

Poison Ivy
Posted by Brandy (Mantua, Ohio) on 04/27/2013

I know I get so irritated when I hear people say that dogs can't get poison ivy... The oils distribute to the skin / if it doesn't just stay "put" on the hair then YES dogs get it and it is awful... Burt's bees soap is very good! My poor lab got it - baby was miserable!!!


Poison Ivy
Posted by Tracey (Ohio) on 02/14/2014

I once had a dog that got posion ivy on it's nose! The poor thing would scratch until it bleed. We put socks on him which helped from him from digging with his nails.


Poison Ivy
Posted by Ramg (Bay Area, Ca) on 04/10/2014

I found your story helpful as well as the replies from others experiencing K-9 poison oak. Two days ago, I was enjoying some spring time hiking through the woods with my dog and there was plenty of low growing freshly leafed out p/o. My 7yo Staffy Bullterrier now has many little red bumps all over his stomach and a couple where his skin is exposed in his arm (or should I say, leg) pits.

As a person who can get it, I have found the most effective and satisfying way to speed along the healing process, is a good p/o soap such as Burt's Bees, or Fels Naptha which has been around since I was a kid, at first.. but after a couple days, or when the rash turns into small pimple looking bumps I treat it with a most satisfying method:

Take a small face cloth type towel and saturate a portion of it with hydrogen peroxide and proceed to do the unthinkable - Yes, scratch it with the soaked towel until the little bumps turn white. This can be done more than once, if some of the rash did not turn white with the tiny disinfecting bubbles. It is incredibly effective at drying up the rash and preventing the spread of the oils. IMPORTANT -- As a footnote, do not use the peroxide method immediately after getting p/o, before it has turned into distinct little bumps.. you WILL end up spreading it.

I will be trying this on my little friend and will report back with the results. Hope this is helpful as there is much discomfort when having P/O!


Croton Plant
Posted by Annette (Nashville, Tennessee) on 09/17/2010

We were given a Croton Plant and we have 2 cats. We want to make sure they are not dangerous if our cats decide to chew on the leaves.

Croton Plant
Posted by Nicole.poisonous2pets (Gold Coast, Australia) on 12/05/2012
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

If the croton plant you are refering to is a codiaeum species, it is moderately toxic. It can cause eye irritation, dermatitis and eczema with contact alone. If consumed, it can cause a burning sensation to the mouth, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In can also cause more severe symptoms such as haemorrhages of the heart, and degradation of the kidneys and liver. I am a horticulturist who writes on plants which are toxic to dogs and cats and all my information has been verified by a veterinarian so the information is correct. Just be careful about this plant around your pets.


Buttercup
Posted by Marcia (USA) on 09/11/2009

Buttercup - poisonous to dogs? Formerly my Border terrier was grass grazer, but lately she has turned to buttercup leaves. Of course, I stop her. However, is there something missing in her diet that makes her look for this plant?

Buttercup
Posted by Alimorg (Stoke-on-trent, England) on 11/01/2009

My border terrier also likes to eat buttercup leaves and I was wondering the same thing about something missing in her diet. I try to stop her from eating the leaves but she has never shown any ill effects from doing so! Let's hope someone can throw somw light on this - she seems to ignore other plants.


Buttercup
Posted by Katiem (Tacoma, Wa, Usa) on 03/12/2013

Buttercup is poisonous to dogs, cats, and horses. http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/buttercup/


Buttercup
Posted by Susieq (Staten Island, New York) on 06/15/2013

To Katiem: they already know it is poisonous, the question was if their dogs were missing something from their diet because the dogs are intentionally trying to eat the buttercup.


Buttercup
Posted by Polarbear4 (Oregon, US) on 06/02/2014

Looks like it is the buttercup flower only that is poisonous--the leaves seem to be OK?


Buttercup
Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 06/02/2014

Hey Polarbear4!

The entire plant is toxic - leaves and flowers - as they contain the poison protoanemonin. When the leaves and flowers are dried they poison is nullified. Protoanemonin poisoning varies by the amount consumed -a few leaves may not have any effect while eating an entire plant may produce a big toxic reaction.

A dog *might* be tempted to eat buttercup leaves and flowers for therapeutic reasons, ie homeopathy - where like cures like.


Autumn Crocus
Posted by Shannon C. (Phoenix, AZ) on 06/10/2009

I think it is important to note that Automn Crocus is not an actual "crocus" which is confusing because some crocus bulbs due come up in the fall. here is the wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colchicum_autumnale which includes a photo for distinction.


Honeysuckle
Posted by Paul (Ridgewood, New Jersey) on 06/03/2009

Is honeysuckle poisonous to cats? My wife recently brought in cuttings from a Yellow Honeysuckle (Lonicera Flava) and a Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera Japonica). I noticed one of our cats eating the leaves. Can this make him sick?

EC: Honeysuckle is mentioned on various forums as being toxic to cats, but no varieties are listed.

http://dcn.davis.ca.us/vme/DrSue/poisplnt.html#h

List of good links to other sites with extensive databases: http://amby.com/cat_site/plants.html



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