Plants Safety Guide

508 plants checked for dog and cat safety

264 safe53 caution191 toxic

Flowers

Vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation

Alyssum Ground Cover

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation

Possible mild GI upset

Vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac issues in large amounts

Possible skin irritation, mild GI upset

Drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhea, depression

Vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage, photosensitivity

Ornamental Allium

Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, anemia

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, oral blisters

Veronica Flower

Garden Plants

Yesterday Today Tomorrow

Tremors, seizures, excessive salivation, diarrhea

Garden

Aconite / Monkshood

Vomiting, diarrhea, numbness, cardiac arrhythmia, death

Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, depression

Angel's Trumpet

Dilated pupils, rapid heart rate, disorientation, seizures, death

Angel's Wing Jasmine

Bloody vomiting, diarrhea, organ failure, bone marrow suppression, death

Azaleas / Rhododendrons

Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure, coma, death

Bachelor's Button

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Bird's Eye Chili Plant

GI irritation from capsaicin

Bird's Nest Spruce

Vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, respiratory depression

Mild GI upset; thorns cause physical injury

Vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, seizures

Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness

Oral pain, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Castor Bean Plant

Severe vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, organ failure, death

Excitement in cats (related to catnip)

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination, dermatitis

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea

Coral Honeysuckle

Crocus (Spring)

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, heart rhythm abnormalities, seizures, death

Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cardiac arrhythmia

Mild GI upset, skin irritation

Kidney failure in cats; mild GI upset in dogs

Daylily (NOT true lily)

SAFE for dogs; FATAL kidney failure in cats

Muscle tremors, cardiac failure, respiratory paralysis

Dianthus / Carnations

Mild GI upset, skin irritation

Echeveria Elegans

Cardiac arrhythmia, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, death

Vomiting, diarrhea, hives

Vomiting, loss of appetite, depression

Mild GI upset; corms are most toxic

Spiny leaves can scratch

Vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure

Heavenly Bamboo

Vomiting, weakness, seizures, cyanide poisoning

Drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhea, depression

Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum)

Hens and Chicks

Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea

Vomiting, diarrhea, depression

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, depression

Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, depression

Indian Hawthorn

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy

Japanese Pieris

Vomiting, drooling, weakness, cardiac dysfunction

Jasmine (Carolina)

Muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, seizures, death

Jasmine (Night Blooming)

GI upset, central nervous system effects

None for true jasmine

Vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, liver failure, death

Muscle tremors, stiffness, cardiac failure, respiratory paralysis

Nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite

Lavender (Plant)

GI upset; more dangerous to cats

Lavender Cotton

Lily of the Nile

Lily of the Valley

Vomiting, cardiac arrhythmia, low blood pressure, seizures, death

Lily of the Valley Bush

Cardiac arrhythmia, vomiting, weakness

Tremors, labored breathing, seizures

Sharp leaf edges can cut mouth

Mild GI upset, skin irritation

Disorientation, hallucinations, GI upset, tremors

Morning Glory Seeds

Hallucinations, agitation, tremors, GI upset

Mountain Laurel

Vomiting, weakness, cardiac dysfunction, coma

Nightshade (Bittersweet)

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, confusion

Drooling, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rhythm, death

Oleander (Pink)

Cardiac arrhythmia, drooling, death

Oleander (White)

Cardiac arrhythmia, drooling, death

Vomiting, diarrhea

Mild GI upset, skin irritation from sap

Mild mouth and stomach irritation, drooling

Vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination, increased heart rate

Purple Fountain Grass

Possible GI irritation from sharp leaf edges

Thorn injuries only

Sage (Ornamental)

Salvia (Annual)

Sedum (Stonecrop)

Mild GI upset possible

Stock (Matthiola)

Weakness, tremors, seizures, lethargy

Sweet Potato Vine

Mild GI upset from ornamental varieties

Mild GI upset, skin irritation

Mild GI upset, skin irritation

Drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Berries may cause mild GI upset

Virginia Creeper

Oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney damage

Oral irritation from oxalates

Vomiting (sometimes severe), diarrhea, depression

Severe vomiting, diarrhea, depression

Trembling, breathing difficulty, cardiac failure, sudden death

Grasses

Possible mechanical injury from sharp leaf edges

Ground Covers

Possible mild GI upset

Possible mild blood thinning in large amounts

Vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, tremors

Herbs

Mild GI upset in large amounts

Skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea in large amounts

Mild GI upset; mint oil irritant

Liver damage from pyrrolizidine alkaloids

GI upset; contains essential oils toxic to cats

None in small amounts

None in small amounts

Mild GI upset, skin irritation

GI upset, liver damage in cats from essential oils

Possible photosensitivity, mild GI upset

GI upset, possible liver issues in cats

GI upset in large amounts

GI upset; essential oil is more dangerous

Photosensitivity, GI upset in large amounts

Liver failure, vomiting, death

None in normal amounts

Skin blistering from sap; GI upset

None in culinary amounts

None in small amounts

Vomiting, seizures, liver damage

GI upset in large amounts

GI upset, tremors, seizures

Houseplants

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, tremors

Amaryllis Houseplant

Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, tremors

Angel Wing Begonia

Oral irritation from calcium oxalates

Angels Wings Begonia

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain; skin irritation

Bird of Paradise

Nausea, vomiting, drowsiness

Bird of Paradise (White)

Nausea, vomiting, drowsiness

Bird's Nest Fern

Oral pain, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Calathea Medallion

Calathea Orbifolia

Cast Iron Houseplant

Cast Iron Plant

Cat Grass / Wheatgrass

Occasional vomiting (natural; helps clear hairballs)

Excitement/euphoria in cats; mild sedative in dogs

Chinese Evergreen

Oral irritation, pain, swelling, vomiting

Chinese Money Plant

Christmas Cactus

Mild GI upset if eaten in large amounts

Vomiting, diarrhea, depression

Corn Plant (Dracaena)

Vomiting, loss of appetite, excessive drooling

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea

Crown of Thorns

GI irritation, mouth irritation, eye damage from sap

Cyclamen Houseplant

Severe vomiting, heart rhythm abnormalities, seizures, death

Vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac dysfunction, death

Intense oral pain, drooling, swelling, difficulty breathing

Donkey Tail Spurge

Skin irritation, GI upset from milky sap

Vomiting (sometimes with blood), depression, dilated pupils (cats)

Dracaena Marginata

Vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite, dilated pupils in cats

Vomiting, depression, dilated pupils in cats

Intense oral pain, drooling, difficulty breathing

Oral pain, drooling, difficulty swallowing

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain

Ficus Benjamina

Mild GI upset, skin irritation from sap

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting

Oral pain, swelling, drooling, vomiting

Contact dermatitis, mild GI upset

Vomiting, depression, incoordination

Vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythm

Kidney failure (cats), mild GI upset (dogs)

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting

Maidenhair Fern

Maidenhair Fern Houseplant

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Monstera Adansonii

Oral pain, drooling, difficulty swallowing

Moses in the Cradle

Skin irritation, mild GI upset

Moses in the Cradle

Skin irritation, oral pain, drooling

Norfolk Island Pine

Mild GI upset if large amounts eaten

Mild GI upset from needles

Mild GI upset from needles if eaten

Mild GI upset if eaten

Oxalis / Shamrock Plant

Tremors, excessive salivation, kidney failure from oxalates

Parlor Palm (Bamboo)

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Eye and skin irritation, vomiting, GI pain

Peperomia Obtusifolia

Peperomia Rosso

Oral pain, swelling, drooling, vomiting

Philodendron Birkin

Oral pain, drooling, swelling

Philodendron Brasil

Oral pain, drooling, vomiting

Philodendron Pink Princess

Oral irritation, swelling, drooling

Pilea Involucrata

Pilea Peperomioides

Polka Dot Begonia

Oral irritation from calcium oxalates

Polka Dot Plant

Mild GI upset, skin irritation

Oral pain, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Pothos (Marble Queen)

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting

Purple Passion Plant

Purple Waffle Plant

Rabbit's Foot Fern

Rattlesnake Plant

Oral irritation, vomiting from calcium oxalates

Rex Begonia Vine

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea

Rubber Tree Plant

Mild GI upset, skin irritation from sap

Vomiting, liver failure, seizures, death

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting

Oral irritation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting

Sensitive Plant

Silver Dollar Plant

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Vomiting, drooling, depression

Mild GI upset if eaten in large quantities

Spider Plant Variegated

Cats are attracted; mild hallucinogenic effect possible

Staghorn Fern (Large)

String of Bananas

Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling

String of Dolphins

Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling

String of Hearts

String of Hearts Variegated

String of Nickels

String of Pearls

Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy

String of Turtles

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Ti Plant / Hawaiian Ti

Vomiting (sometimes bloody), depression, dilated pupils in cats

Tradescantia / Wandering Jew

Skin irritation, mild GI upset

Oral irritation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Watermelon Peperomia

Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling

Yucca Houseplant

Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling

Oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea

Palms

Oral pain, swelling, burning, difficulty swallowing

Perennials

None; cats may roll in it

Nepeta Six Hills

Shrubs

Mild GI upset, vomiting

None from toxicity; thorns may cause injury

Mild GI upset from berries

Severe oral irritation, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, seizures

Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cardiac effects

Mild GI upset, vomiting, diarrhea

None from plant contact

Hydrangea Oakleaf

Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy

Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac effects

Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination

Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, respiratory failure

Difficulty breathing, vomiting from cyanide

Vomiting, drooling, cardiac effects, death possible

Possible GI upset from seeds

Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure, death possible

Vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness

Succulents

Trees

Apple Tree (Leaves/Seeds)

Dilated pupils, breathing difficulty, panting, shock

Mild GI upset possible

Mild GI upset from berries

Vomiting, diarrhea from persin

Mild GI upset, vomiting, diarrhea

Black Cherry Tree

Difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, death from wilted leaves

Black Walnut Tree

Vomiting, tremors, seizures

Bottlebrush Tree

Buckeye / Horse Chestnut

Vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty walking, paralysis

Mild GI upset; cedar oil can be irritating

Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, shock, death

Chinaberry Tree

Vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, respiratory failure, death

Difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, shock, death

Mild GI upset from needles

Elderberry Tree

Vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing

Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy from berries

Eucalyptus Tree

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness

Fig Tree (Outdoor)

Drooling, vomiting, skin irritation from sap

Fig Tree Ornamental

Skin irritation, mild GI upset

Vomiting, diarrhea, seizures from seeds

Golden Chain Tree

Vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, coma, death

Thorns cause physical injury; berries safe

Possible GI upset from berries

Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lip smacking

Holly (American)

Vomiting, diarrhea, depression from berries

Trembling, difficulty breathing, sudden cardiac death

GI upset from berries

Kentucky Coffee Tree

GI upset, neurological signs from seeds

Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, photosensitivity

Lily of the Valley Tree

GI upset, cardiac effects

Acorns cause GI upset and potential kidney damage

Manchineel Tree

Severe burns, blindness, vomiting, death

None for dogs and cats

GI upset, drooling, low blood pressure, breathing difficulty

Mild GI upset from berries

Mild GI upset from overindulgence; staining

Vomiting, diarrhea, depression

Palm Trees (General)

None for true palms; sago palm is NOT a true palm

Vomiting, difficulty breathing from cyanide in pits/leaves

Possible mild GI upset from seeds

Vomiting, seizures from moldy nuts

Possible GI obstruction from seeds

GI upset, mouth irritation from needles

Vomiting, difficulty breathing from cyanide

Pomegranate Tree

Mild GI upset from bark and root

Safrole in roots is mildly toxic; liver effects

Needles can irritate GI tract

Spiky balls are choking/injury hazard

Mild GI upset from seeds

GI upset from salicylate compounds

Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, abdominal pain

Witch Hazel Plant

Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy

Vines

Bleeding Heart Vine

Vomiting, diarrhea, seizures possible

Wildflowers

Vomiting, diarrhea, tremors

Black-Eyed Susan

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth blisters

Butterfly Milkweed

Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac arrhythmia

None in normal amounts

Coneflower / Echinacea

Mild GI upset if large amount eaten

Cardiac arrhythmia, vomiting, death

Foxglove Beardtongue

Hemlock (Poison)

Trembling, excessive salivation, respiratory failure, death

Dilated pupils, rapid heart rate, hallucinations, seizures

Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac arrhythmia

Nightshade (Deadly)

Dilated pupils, hallucinations, seizures, death

Severe GI upset, respiratory failure, convulsions

Queen Anne's Lace

Mild skin irritation, photosensitivity

Liver damage, weight loss, jaundice

Mild GI upset, vomiting

Mild GI upset, possible skin irritation