20+ Houseplants Poisonous to Dogs: A guide for dog owners
Houseplants can add a touch of life and color to any home, and there are amazing psychological benefits of having plants around. Still, unfortunately, some of them can be poisonous plants to your furry friends. If you’ve got a curious dog who likes to nibble on things, it’s essential to be aware of which plants could potentially be harmful.
Our handy guide will help you identify which toxic plants to avoid if you’ve got a pup in the house. From common houseplants like philodendrons to outdoor varieties like oleander, there are a number of plants that could be potentially harmful to your dog.
So before you head to the nursery, make sure you consult our guide to ensure your new plant is safe for your furry friend. You can also take a look at our Safe Houseplants for Dogs and Cats guide and pick some non-poisonous houseplants for you and your furry friend!
List of Houseplants Poisonous to Dogs
1.- Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
When it comes to choosing indoor plants, the striking appearance of snake plants is definitely one of their biggest selling points. They are gorgeous, with long, narrow leaves that come in an array of different colors and textures. But aside from their looks, snake plants are also extremely easy to care for, making them an excellent choice for anyone who struggles with keeping houseplants alive and well.
However, as any dog owner knows all too well, snake plants can actually be poisonous if consumed by our furry friends. According to the ASPCA, ingesting these plants can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in dogs – none of which are much fun at all!
So before you go rushing out to get yourself a beautiful new snake plant, it’s important to keep this potential danger in mind and do your due diligence to make sure you’re picking out a pet-friendly houseplant. After all, there’s no use risking your dog’s health just for a pretty new addition to your home!
2.- Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
Sago palms are a beautiful addition to any home, but they can be deadly to pets. All parts of the plant are poisonous, but the seeds (nuts) are the most toxic. Ingestion of even a small amount of the plant can cause serious effects.
The sago palm contains several toxic compounds, including cycasin, which can cause liver failure. Symptoms of sago palm poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, and seizures. If you suspect that your pet has ingested a sago palm, seek veterinary care immediately. Sago palms are not worth risking your pet’s life!
3.- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lily is a beautiful, elegant plant that has long been a popular choice for indoor gardens. However, peace lilies are not as innocent as they appear. While they are not technically poisonous, they contain a compound that can be extremely bothersome to pets, children, and even adults if consumed.
Even the pollen from the spadix can cause oral irritation if licked off fur and paws. The culprit is the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. These crystals can cause burning and swelling of the mouth and throat, difficulty swallowing and vomiting.
In severe cases, they can even lead to respiratory distress. So while pa peace lily may add a touch of beauty to your home, be sure to keep them out of reach of curious children and pets.
4.- Jade Plant (Crassula argentea)
When it comes to these poisonous houseplants, you need to be careful not only around dogs but also cats and horses. This is because these plants are highly toxic, and even small amounts can cause serious health problems in pets. In fact, this plant poisoning can result in everything from staggering and vomiting to difficulty breathing and heart irregularities.
To protect your pets from this house plant and its toxic substances, it is important to always keep your jade plants well out of reach. And if your dog does happen to eat part of a jade plant, be sure to monitor them closely for any adverse effects. If you notice any symptoms of jade plant poisoning, be sure to get your pet emergency medical attention immediately. Ultimately, by taking the proper precautions and watching out for potential signs of jade plant toxicity, you can ensure the safety of your furry friends.
5.- Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus cv sprengeri)
As any pet owner knows, it’s important to be aware of which plants are toxic to pets. Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus cv sprengeri) is one such plant—the toxic agent in this plant is sapogenin, a steroid found in a variety of plants.
If a dog or cat ingests the berries of this plant, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or abdominal pain can occur. As such, it’s important to keep this plant out of reach of pets. Contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately if you suspect that your pet has ingested Asparagus fern.
6.- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are common houseplants that are known for being hard to kill. According to the ASPCA, they’re also non-toxic to dogs, cats, and humans. However, just because they’re not toxic doesn’t mean they’re safe for your pup to munch on.
Spider plants contain insoluble calcium oxalates, which can cause vomiting and other side effects if ingested in large quantities. So, if you suspect your dog has eaten a spider plant, it’s best to call your vet for further guidance.
7.- Rubber Plant (Peperomia)
Botanically speaking, this plant belongs to the genus Ficus, which is also home to other popular garden plants like the weeping fig and stylish fiddle leaf fig.
However, while most Ficus plants are perfectly safe for cats and dogs alike, this particular variety contains irritating sap that can cause serious skin irritation if it comes into contact with your pet’s skin.
In addition, if your animal chews on any part of the rubber tree plant, they could experience stomach cramps, nausea, and more serious symptoms associated with poisoning.
8.- Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Aloe Vera is a succulent plant that is often used for its medicinal properties. The juice and gel found inside the leaves can be a topical treatment for skin abrasions, and dogs can safely drink aloe juice.
But chewing on the plant can expose a dog to toxins called anthraquinone glycosides, which can cause diarrhea and vomiting. Aloe is considered moderately toxic to dogs. While it is safe to use Aloe Vera as a topical treatment for your dog, you should avoid giving it to them internally.
If your dog does ingest Aloe Vera, watch for symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately. Aloe Vera is a safe and effective way to treat minor skin abrasions on your dog, but it should be used with caution.
9.- Ivy (Hedera Helix)
Ivy sure looks pretty winding its way up the side of a building or tree, but things will not be pretty if your dog eats its leaves. Several varieties of ivy contain toxins, including triterpenoid saponins and polyacetylene compounds, which cause excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
If you suspect your dog has eaten ivy, watch for symptoms immediately and contact your veterinarian. In the meantime, keep an eye on your dog and make sure it doesn’t ingest any more Ivy leaves – because that would just Ivy things up.
10.- Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
For lovers of tropical plants, Dumb Cane is a real beauty. This large and bold plant is known for its long, sword-like leaves and striking green-and-white pattern. Despite its stunning appearance, Dumb Cane has a type of toxicity that you’ll see in some other tropical plants, such as philodendron.
The leaves of Dumb Cane contain tiny, sharp calcium oxalate crystals that can cause severe irritation in the mouths of dogs and other animals. These sharp crystals can irritate the skin and cause swelling, burning, and even difficulty breathing if ingested – making Dumb Cane a serious threat to any curious pooches in the vicinity!
So if you have Dumb Cane at home or work, be sure to keep it well out of reach of all your furry friends. They will thank you for it!
11.- Philodendron
Philodendron is a popular houseplant for its low-maintenance needs and eye-catching leaves. However, like dieffenbachia, philodendron is toxic to dogs, so pet owners need to be careful when providing these plants around their homes.
Calcium oxalate in Philodendron leaves can irritate a dog’s mouth, causing swelling, burning sensations, and even potentially breathing difficulties if ingested. And while there is no cure that can reverse the effects of Philodendron toxicity once it takes hold, dogs can usually recover without any lasting issues with prompt medical attention.
So if you’re a dog owner with green thumbs, be sure to keep Philodendron plants out of your pup’s reach!
12.- Pothos/Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum Aureum)
Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a beautiful and hardy houseplant resistant to most pests and diseases. However, this plant can be toxic to dogs if ingested, as it contains calcium oxalate crystals in the leaves.
These crystals can irritate a dog’s mouth and cause severe swelling and burning. If you have a pothos plant in your home, it is important to keep it out of reach of your dog. If you think your dog has ingested this plant, please contact your veterinarian immediately. Pothos is a beautiful plant, but it is not worth risking your dog’s health.
13.- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas)
Few are as attractive and reliable as the ZZ plant when it comes to low-light houseplants. This hardy bush is known for its ability to thrive in dim environments, making it a popular choice for office buildings and homes alike.
However, while ZZ plants may look harmless, they can actually be quite toxic, especially to dogs. They are filled with harmful calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation and swelling in the mouth and respiratory issues, but they can also induce vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
Furthermore, the ZZ plant’s skin-irritating sap has been shown to cause severe burning sensations on bare skin – so if you have or care for a dog, it’s best to keep ZZ plants far out of their reach!
Overall, this remarkable plant may be good for your home decor, but it certainly shouldn’t come at the expense of your four-legged friends’ health.
14.- Elephant Ear (Caladium)
Elephant Ear (Caladium) plants are a beautiful addition to any home – however, they are toxic to dogs if ingested. The leaves of the plant contain sharp calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate a dog’s mouth, causing swelling, burning, difficulty breathing, and sometimes death. If you have a dog that is prone to chewing on plants, it is best to keep Elephant Ears out of reach.
15.- Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)
Although it may look harmless, the Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans) is actually quite toxic to both dogs and cats. If ingested, the main symptom is vomiting, sometimes with blood. Other symptoms can include loss of appetite and depression.
The cause of these symptoms is a compound called steroidal saponin, which is found in high concentrations in the Corn Plant. In small amounts, steroidal saponin is not dangerous. However, if a pet ingests a large amount of the Corn Plant, it can lead to serious health problems.
16.- Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)
Desert rose is a stunning plant with its ancient-looking trunk and gorgeous pink blooms. But if your dog takes a bite, you better watch out. This plant is highly toxic, containing a powerful toxin called a cardiac glycoside. Suppose your pet ingests any part of desert rose.
In that case, they may experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, irregular heart rhythm, or even death. So be sure to keep your desert rose away from curious pets and small children!
17.-Sowbread (Cyclamen)
Sowbread, also known as the Persian violet and Sowbread, is a beautiful flower with delicate petals and brilliant colors. However, most people don’t know about Sowbread because it is actually quite toxic. The plant contains irritating saponins, and if any part of it (especially the tubers or roots) is chewed or ingested by dogs and cats, it can result in drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.
18.-Begonia
When it comes to keeping pets safe, begonias are a real thorn in our side. Not only do these beautiful flowering plants look great in our homes, but they also contain harmful oxalates that are poisonous to both dogs and cats. Despite their attractive appearance, begonias can be extremely toxic to our furry friends, so you should never let your pet eat any part of this plant.
With more than a thousand different species of begonia available, it’s no wonder that so many people have fallen for these cuties without realizing just how toxic they can be. So if you’re thinking about getting some begonias for your home or garden, keep them away from your pets!