Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital - Plants that are poisonous to pets

Often we think of plants as benign decorations for our home - both inside and out. However, plants can present significant danger to the wellbeing of your pet.

Listed below are just a few of the common plants you might be familiar with.

For a more in-depth list follow this link to The Human Society of the United States.


Amaryllis Common Garden Plants popular around Easter, Amaryllis species contain toxins that can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia and tremors. (Back to top of page)
Autumn Crocus Ingestion of Colchicum autumnale by pets can result in oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage and bone marrow suppression. (Back to top of page)
Azalea/Rhododendron Members of the Rhododenron spp. contain substances known as grayantoxins, which can produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness and depression of the central nervous system in animals. Severe azalea poisoning could ultimately lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse. (Back to top of page)	Azalea	Rhododendron
Castor Bean The poisonous principle in Ricinus communis is ricin, a highly toxic protein that can produce severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death. (Back to top of page)	Castor Bean Tree	Castor Bean Pods
Chrysanthemum These popular blooms are part of the Compositae family, which contain pyrethrins that may produce gastrointestinal upset, including drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, if eaten. In certain cases depression and loss of coordination may also develop if enough of any part of the plant is consumed. (Back to top of page)
Cyclamen Cylamen species contain cyclamine, but the highest concentration of this toxic component is typically located in the root portion of the plant. If consumed, Cyclamen can produce significant gastrointestinal irritation, including intense vomiting. Fatalities have also been reported in some cases. (Back to top of page)
English Ivy Also called branching ivy, glacier ivy, needlepoint ivy, sweetheart ivy and California ivy, hedera helix contains triterpenoid saponins that, should pets ingest, can result in vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea. (Back to top of page)
Kalanchoe This plant contains components that can produce gastrointestinal irritation, as well as those that are toxic to the heart, and can seriously affect cardiac rhythm and rate. (Back to top of page)
Lilies Members of the Lilium spp. are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestions of very small amounts of the plan, severe kidney damage could result. (Back to top of page)
Marijuana Ingestion of Cannabis sativa by companion animals can result in depression of the central nervous system and incoordination, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, and even seizures and coma. (Back to top of page)
Oleander All parts of Nerium oleander are considered to be toxic, as they contain cardiac glycosides that have the potential to cause serious effects - including gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death. (Back to top of page)
Peace Lily (AKA Mauna Loa Peace Lily) Spathiphylium contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue in pets who ingest. (Back to top of page)
Pothos Pothos (both Scindapsus and Epipremnum) belongs to the Araceae family. If chewed or ingested, this popular household plant can cause significant mechanical irritation and swelling of the oral tissues and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. (Back to top of page)
Sago Palm All parts of Cycas Revoluta are poisonous, but the seeds or "nuts" contain the largest amount of toxin. The ingestion of just one or two seeds can result in very serious effects, which include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure. (Back to top of page)
Schefflera Schefflera and Brassaia actinophylia contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue in pets who ingest. (Back to top of page)
Tulip/Narcissus bulbs The bulb portions of the Tulipa/Narcissus spp. contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities. (Back to top of page)
Yew Taxus spp. contains a toxic component known as taxine, which causes central nervous system effects such as trembling, coordination problems, and difficulty breathing. It can also cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac failure, which can result in death. (Back to top of page)