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.