Most Common Houseplants Toxic to Dogs

It's always stressful to hear your dog chewing on a plant if you're not sure about its safety. Dogs are naturally curious, often exploring their environment by sniffing and tasting new things, including houseplants. While some plants and herbal remedies are safe for dogs, others can be highly toxic, leading to severe health issues.

In this guide, we’ll highlight 10 common toxic houseplants for dogs, their symptoms of poisoning, and tips for keeping your pet safe. If you're a pet owner, knowing which plants to avoid can help prevent unnecessary health risks.

List of Toxic Plants for Dogs
1. Oleander – Highly Toxic to Dogs
2. Sago Palm – Extremely Poisonous to Dogs
3. Azalea – Toxic to Dogs in Small Amounts
4. Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) – Dangerous for Dogs
5. Lilies – Dangerous for Dogs
6. Philodendron – Causes Oral Irritation in Dogs
7. Pothos (Devil's Ivy) – Toxic to Dogs
8. Autumn Crocus – Highly Toxic to Dogs
9. English Ivy – Can Cause Digestive Issues in Dogs
10. Chrysanthemums – Toxic to Dogs
What to Do If Your Dog Eats a Toxic Plant
Final Thoughts

<p>It's always stressful to hear your dog chewing on a plant if you're not sure about its safety. Dogs are naturally curious, often exploring their environment by sniffing and tasting new things, including houseplants. While some plants and <a href="https://lolahemp.com/blogs/dog-health/herbal-remedies-for-dogs" title="This article discusses herbal remedies for dogs and their safety.">herbal remedies</a> are safe for dogs, others can be highly toxic, leading to severe health issues.</p>
<p>In this guide, we’ll highlight <strong>10 common toxic houseplants for dogs</strong>, their symptoms of poisoning, and tips for keeping your pet safe. If you're a pet owner, knowing which plants to avoid can help prevent unnecessary health risks.</p>
<h2>List of Toxic Plants for Dogs</h2>
<p>The following houseplants are frequently found in homes and gardens but pose significant health risks to dogs if ingested. Keep these plants out of reach or avoid having them in homes with pets.</p>
<h2>1. Oleander – Highly Toxic to Dogs</h2>
<p><strong>Oleander</strong> (<em>Nerium oleander</em>) is a popular ornamental shrub known for its vibrant flowers, but it is one of the most toxic plants for dogs. All parts of the plant—including leaves, flowers, and stems—contain <strong>cardiac glycosides</strong>, which can lead to severe heart arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Toxic component:</strong> Cardiac glycosides</li>
<li>
<strong>Symptoms:</strong> Lethargy, drooling, irregular heartbeat, tremors, vomiting</li>
<li>
<strong>Severity:</strong> Life-threatening; seek immediate veterinary attention</li>
</ul>
<h2>2. Sago Palm – Extremely Poisonous to Dogs</h2>
<p>The <strong>Sago palm</strong> (<em>Cycas revoluta</em>) is highly toxic to dogs, particularly the seeds (nuts). It contains <strong>cycasin</strong>, a toxin that can cause liver failure even in small amounts.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Toxic component:</strong> Cycasin</li>
<li>
<strong>Symptoms:</strong> Vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, seizures, liver damage</li>
<li>
<strong>Severity:</strong> Fatal if untreated; requires emergency vet care</li>
</ul>
<h2>3. Azalea – Toxic to Dogs in Small Amounts</h2>
<p><strong>Azaleas</strong> (<em>Rhododendron species</em>) are popular landscaping plants, but they contain <strong>grayanotoxins</strong>, which affect the nervous system and cardiovascular function in dogs.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Toxic component:</strong> Grayanotoxins</li>
<li>
<strong>Symptoms:</strong> Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, weakness, coma</li>
<li>
<strong>Severity:</strong> Severe; seek veterinary help</li>
</ul>
<h2>4. Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) – Dangerous for Dogs</h2>
<p><strong>Dieffenbachia</strong> contains <strong>calcium oxalate crystals</strong>, which cause immediate oral irritation, burning, and swelling when chewed by dogs.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Toxic component:</strong> Calcium oxalate crystals</li>
<li>
<strong>Symptoms:</strong> Oral pain, drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting</li>
<li>
<strong>Severity:</strong> Moderate; usually resolves with supportive care</li>
</ul>
<h2>5. Lilies – Dangerous for Dogs</h2>
<p>Some types of <strong>lilies</strong> (<em>Lilium</em> and <em>Hemerocallis</em> species) are highly toxic to dogs, leading to kidney failure and other serious issues.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Toxic component:</strong> Unknown (varies by species)</li>
<li>
<strong>Symptoms:</strong> Vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy</li>
<li>
<strong>Severity:</strong> Potentially fatal; seek immediate veterinary care</li>
</ul>
<h2>6. Philodendron – Causes Oral Irritation in Dogs</h2>
<p><strong>Philodendron</strong> is a common houseplant that contains <strong>calcium oxalate crystals</strong>, causing painful mouth irritation if ingested by dogs.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Symptoms:</strong> Drooling, swelling, difficulty swallowing</li>
<li>
<strong>Severity:</strong> Mild to moderate</li>
</ul>
<h2>7. Pothos (Devil's Ivy) – Toxic to Dogs</h2>
<p><strong>Pothos</strong> (<em>Epipremnum aureum</em>) is another houseplant containing calcium oxalate crystals, leading to oral irritation and stomach upset.</p>
<h2>8. Autumn Crocus – Highly Toxic to Dogs</h2>
<p><strong>Autumn crocus</strong> (<em>Colchicum autumnale</em>) contains <strong>colchicine</strong>, a potent toxin causing severe vomiting, kidney damage, and organ failure.</p>
<h2>9. English Ivy – Can Cause Digestive Issues in Dogs</h2>
<p><strong>English ivy</strong> (<em>Hedera helix</em>) contains <strong>saponins</strong>, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in dogs.</p>
<h2>10. Chrysanthemums – Toxic to Dogs</h2>
<p><strong>Chrysanthemums</strong> (<em>Chrysanthemum species</em>) contain <strong>pyrethrins</strong>, which can cause drooling, tremors, and vomiting in dogs.</p>
<h2>What to Do If Your Dog Eats a Toxic Plant</h2>
<p>If your dog consumes an unfamiliar plant, don’t panic, but take action:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Identify the plant:</strong> Determine which plant your dog ingested.</li>
<li>
<strong>Look for symptoms:</strong> Monitor for vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy.</li>
<li>
<strong>Call your vet:</strong> If symptoms appear or you suspect poisoning, contact your veterinarian immediately.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
<p>There are hundreds of plants that could be toxic to dogs, so it's always important to research before bringing new plants into your home. Keeping toxic plants out of reach and choosing <a title="Safe herbal remedies for dogs" href="https://lolahemp.com/blogs/dog-health/herbal-remedies-for-dogs">pet-safe plants</a> will help protect your furry friend.</p>

List of Toxic Plants for Dogs

The following houseplants are frequently found in homes and gardens but pose significant health risks to dogs if ingested. Keep these plants out of reach or avoid having them in homes with pets.

1. Oleander – Highly Toxic to Dogs

Oleander (Nerium oleander) is a popular ornamental shrub known for its vibrant flowers, but it is one of the most toxic plants for dogs. All parts of the plant—including leaves, flowers, and stems—contain cardiac glycosides, which can lead to severe heart arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.

Toxic component: Cardiac glycosides
Symptoms: Lethargy, drooling, irregular heartbeat, tremors, vomiting
Severity: Life-threatening; seek immediate veterinary attention

2. Sago Palm – Extremely Poisonous to Dogs

The Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) is highly toxic to dogs, particularly the seeds (nuts). It contains cycasin, a toxin that can cause liver failure even in small amounts.

Toxic component: Cycasin
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, seizures, liver damage
Severity: Fatal if untreated; requires emergency vet care

3. Azalea – Toxic to Dogs in Small Amounts

Azaleas (Rhododendron species) are popular landscaping plants, but they contain grayanotoxins, which affect the nervous system and cardiovascular function in dogs.

Toxic component: Grayanotoxins
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, weakness, coma
Severity: Severe; seek veterinary help

4. Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) – Dangerous for Dogs

Dieffenbachia contains calcium oxalate crystals, which cause immediate oral irritation, burning, and swelling when chewed by dogs.

Toxic component: Calcium oxalate crystals
Symptoms: Oral pain, drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting
Severity: Moderate; usually resolves with supportive care

5. Lilies – Dangerous for Dogs

Some types of lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) are highly toxic to dogs, leading to kidney failure and other serious issues.

Toxic component: Unknown (varies by species)
Symptoms: Vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy
Severity: Potentially fatal; seek immediate veterinary care

6. Philodendron – Causes Oral Irritation in Dogs

Philodendron is a common houseplant that contains calcium oxalate crystals, causing painful mouth irritation if ingested by dogs.

Symptoms: Drooling, swelling, difficulty swallowing
Severity: Mild to moderate

7. Pothos (Devil's Ivy) – Toxic to Dogs

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is another houseplant containing calcium oxalate crystals, leading to oral irritation and stomach upset.

8. Autumn Crocus – Highly Toxic to Dogs

Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) contains colchicine, a potent toxin causing severe vomiting, kidney damage, and organ failure.

9. English Ivy – Can Cause Digestive Issues in Dogs

English ivy (Hedera helix) contains saponins, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in dogs.

10. Chrysanthemums – Toxic to Dogs

Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum species) contain pyrethrins, which can cause drooling, tremors, and vomiting in dogs.

What to Do If Your Dog Eats a Toxic Plant

If your dog consumes an unfamiliar plant, don’t panic, but take action:

Identify the plant: Determine which plant your dog ingested.
Look for symptoms: Monitor for vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy.
Call your vet: If symptoms appear or you suspect poisoning, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Final Thoughts

There are hundreds of plants that could be toxic to dogs, so it's always important to research before bringing new plants into your home. Keeping toxic plants out of reach and choosing pet-safe plants will help protect your furry friend.

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