Flowers And Pets

Most Flowers and Plants are meant to be a decorative element in our homes and gardens, not to be eaten by our family pets! You may be surprised to discover just how many popular flowers and plants are poisonous to your beloved pets.

Below is a handy pictorial guide to toxic plants forDogs, Cats and Horses. This guide includes pictures, popular flower/plant names as well as their scientific names, tells you which pet the flower/plant is toxic to and the symptoms to watch for, just in case.

Looking for details on a specific plant? Click a letter below to move directly to all of the plants listed under that letter.

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Aloe

 Aloe

Scientific Name: Aloe Vera

Family: Liliaceae

Toxic to:

  • Dogs
  • Cats

Symptoms:

Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, anorexia, tremors, change in urine color.

Amaryllis

Other Common Names: Belladonna lily, Saint Joseph lily, Cape Belladonna, Naked Lady

Scientific Name: Amaryllis sp.

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:

Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hyper-salivation, anorexia, tremors.

Apple

Other Common Names: Includes crabapples

Scientific Name: Malus sylvestrus

Family: Rosaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Causes:

Stems, leaves & seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting.

Symptoms:

brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock.

Apricot

Scientific Name: Prunus armeniaca

Family: Rosaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Causes:

Stems, leaves & seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting.

Symptoms:

brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock.

Asian Lily

Other Common Names: Asiatic Lily

Scientific Name: Lilium asiatica

Family: Liliaceae

Toxic to:Cats

Symptoms:Vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, kidney failure, and death is possible.

Asparagus Fern

Other Common Names: Asparagus, Emerald Feather, Emerald Fern, Sprengeri Fern, Plumosa Fern, Lace Fern, Racemose Asparagus, Shatavari

Scientific Name: Asparagus densiflorus cv sprengeri

Family: Liliaceae


Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:

Allergic dermatitis with repeated dermal exposure. Berry ingestion could result in gastric upset, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea.

Autumn Crocus

Other Common Names: Meadow Saffron

Scientific Name: Colchicum autumnale

Family:Liliaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage, bone marrow suppression.

Avocado

Other Common Names: Alligator Pear

Scientific Name: Persea americana

Family: Lauraceae

 

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Cattle

Rabbits

Goats

Birds

Symptoms:

Horses: Poisonings can occur when avocado groves are used as pastures, or pruned branches become accessible. The leaves, seeds fruit and bark are likely all toxic. Clinical effects occur mainly in mares, and includes noninfectious mastitis, as well as occasional gastritis and colic. Cattle: inflammation of the mammary glands, decreased milk production. Rabbits: inflammation of the mammary glands, decreased milk production, difficulty breathing, fluid around heart, heart rhythm problems, death. Goats: inflammation of the mammary glands, decreased milk production, difficulty breathing, fluid around heart, heart rhythm problems, death. Birds: difficulty breathing, fluid around heart, heart rhythm problems, death. Dogs, cats: vomiting, diarrhea.

Azalea

Other Common Names: Rosebay, Rhododendron

Scientific Name: Rhododendron spp

Family: Ericaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, hypotension, CNS depression, cardiovascular collapse and death. Ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems. Rhododendron is typically not very palatable to horses unless it is the only forage available. The toxic principle interferes with normal skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and nerve function. Clinical effects typically occur within a few hours after ingestion, and can include acute digestive upset, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, colic, depression, weakness, loss of coordination, stupor, leg paralysis, weak heart rate and recumbency for 2 or more days; at this point, improvement may be seen or the animal may become comatose and die.

Baby’s Breath

Other Common Names: Maidens Breath

Scientific Name: Gypsophila elegans

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:

vomiting, diarrhea.

Begonia

Scientific Name: Begonia spp

Family: Begoniaceae

 

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing. Tubers are the most toxic.

Bird of Paradise

Other Common Names: Crane Flower, Bird’s Tongue Flower

Scientific Name: Strelitzia reginae

Family: Strelitziaceae

 

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

 

Symptoms:

Mild nausea, vomiting, drowsiness; caused mainly by fruit and seeds. Should not be confused with Caesalpinia or Poinciana gilliesii, which is also known as Bird of Paradise and is more toxic.

Buttercup

Other Common Names: Butter Cress, Figwort

Scientific Name: Ranunculus sp.

Family: Ranunculaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, hyper-salivation and wobbly gait.

Calla Lily

Other Common Names: Pig Lily, White Arum, Trumpet Lily, Florist’s Calla, Garden Calla, Arum Lilly

Scientific Name: Zantedeschia aethiopica

Family: Araceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Carnation

Other Common Names: Pinks, Wild Carnation, Sweet Willian

Scientific Name: Dianthus caryophyllus

Family: Caryphyllaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:

Mild gastrointestinal signs, mild dermatitis

Cherry

Scientific Name: Prunus species

Family: Rosaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses
Causes:

Stems, leaves & seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting.

Symptoms

brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock.

Christmas Rose

Other Common Names: Hellebore, Lenten Rose, Easter Rose

Scientific Name: Helleborus niger

Family: Ranunculaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhea, colic, depression.

Chrysanthemum

Other Common Names: Daisy, Mum

Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum spp.

Family: Compositae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Vomiting, diarrhea, hyper-salivation, in-coordination, dermatitis

Clematis

Other Common Names: Virgin’s Bower, Leatherflower

Scientific Name: Clematis sp.

Family: Ranunculaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea.

Cutleaf Philodendron

Other Common Names: Hurricane Plant, Swiss Cheese Plant, Ceriman, Mexican Breadfruit, Split-leaf Philodendron, Window Leaf Plant

Scientific Name: Monstera deliciosa

Family: Araceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.

Cyclamen

Other Common Names: Sowbread

Scientific Name: Cyclamen spp

Family: Primulaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:

Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea. Following large ingestions of tubers: heart rhythm abnormalities, seizures, death.

Daffodil

Other Common Names: Narcissus, Jonquil, Paper White

Scientific Name: Narcissus spp

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Vomiting, salvation, diarrhea; large ingestions cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors and cardiac arrhythmias. Bulbs are the most poisonous part.

Dahlia

Scientific Name: Dahlia species

Family: Compositae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:

Mild gastrointestinal signs, mild dermatitis.

Daisy

Other Common Names: Chrysanthemum, Mum

Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum species

Family: Compositae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:

Vomiting, diarrhea, hyper-salivation, in-coordination, dermatitis.

Day Lilies

Scientific Name: Hemerocallis spp.

Family: Liliaceae

Toxic to:

Cats

Cows

Symptoms:

Cats: kidney failure.

Cows: In-coordination, paresis, blindness, death.

Dieffenbachia

Other Common Names: Charming Dieffenbachia, Giant Dumb Cane, Tropic Show, Dumbcane, Exotica, Spotted Dumb Cane, Exotica Perfection.

Scientific Name: Dieffenbachia

Family: Araceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth , tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.

Dracaena

Other Common Names: Corn Plant, Cornstalk Plant, Dragon Tree, Ribbon Plant.

Scientific Name: Dracaena spp.

Family: Agavaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:

Vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, anorexia, hyper-salivation, dilated pupils.

Easter Lily

Scientific Name: Lilium longiflorum

Family: Liliaceae

Toxic to:

Cats

Symptoms:

Vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, kidney failure, and death is possible.

English Ivy

Other Common Names: Branching Ivy, Glacier Ivy, Needlepoint Ivy, Sweetheart Ivy, California Ivy.

Scientific Name: Hedera helix

Family: Araliaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Vomiting, abdominal pain, hyper-salivation, diarrhea. Foliage is more toxic than berries.

Eucalyptus

Scientific Name: Eucalyptus

Family: Myrtaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, weakness.

False Queen Anne’s Lace

Other Common Names: Bishop’s Weed, Greater Ammi

Scientific Name: Ammi majus

Family: Apiaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.

Foxglove

Scientific Name: Digitalis purpurea

Family: Scrophalariaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Cardiac arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure, death.

Garden Chamomile

Other Common Names: Chamomile, Ground Apple, Roman Chamomile

Scientific Name: Anthemis nobilis

Family: Asteraceae

 

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, allergic reactions. Long term use can lead to bleeding tendencies.

Garden Hyacinth

Other Common Names: Hyacinth

Scientific Name: Hyacinthus orientalis

Family: Liliaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:

Vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis and allergic reactions. Bulbs contain highest amount of toxin.

Gardenia

Other Common Names: Cape Jasmine

Scientific Name: Gardenia jasminoides

Family: Rubiaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Mild vomiting and/or diarrhea, hives.

Garlic

Other Common Names: Stinking Rose, Rustic Treacle, Comphor of the Poor, Nectar of the Gods, Serpet Garlic, Rocambole

Scientific Name: Allium sativum

Family: Liliaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Vomiting, breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia), blood in urine, weakness, high heart rate, panting.

Geranium

Scientific Name: Pelargonium

Family: Geraniaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:

Vomiting, anorexia, depression, dermatitis.

Gladiola

Scientific Name: Gladiolus species

Family: Iridaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

HorsesSymptoms:Salivation, vomiting, drooling,lethargy, diarrhea. Highest concentration in bulbs.

Grapefruit

Scientific Name: Citrus paradisii

Family: Rutaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Vomiting, diarrhea, depression; potential photosensitivity.

Hibiscus

Other Common Names: Rose of Sharon, Rose of China

Scientific Name: Hibiscus syriacus

Family: Malvaceae

Toxic to
Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, anorexia.

Hops

Scientific Name: Humulus lupulus

Family: Cannabidaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Symptoms:Panting, high body temperature, seizures, death.

Hosta

Other Common Names: Plantain Lily, Funkia

Scientific Name: Hosta plataginea

Family: Liliaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:Vomiting, diarrhea, depression.

Hydrangea

Other Common Names: Hortensia, Hills of Snow, Seven Bark

Scientific Name: Hydrangea arborescens

Family: Hydrangeaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

HorsesSymptoms:Vomiting, depression, diarrhea. Cyanide intoxication is rare, usually produces more of a gastrointestinal disturbance.

Iris

Other Common Names: Flag, Snake Lily, Water Flag

Scientific Name: Iris species

Family: Iridaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:Salivation, vomiting, drooling,lethargy, diarrhea. Highest concentration in rhizomes.

Jack-in-the-pulpit

Other Common Names: Three-leaved indian turnip, Devil’s dear, Wake robin, Starch wort, Wild turnip, Dragon root, Bog onion, Pepper turnip, Brown dragon, Memory root

Scientific Name: Arisaema triphyllum

Family: Araceae

 

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.

Jade Plant

Other Common Names: Baby Jade, Dwarf rubber plant, Jade tree, Chinese rubber plant, Japanese rubber plant

Scientific Name: Crassula argentea

Family: Crassulaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:Vomiting, depression, ataxia, slow heart rate.

Kalanchoe

Other Common Names: Mother-in-law Plant, Devils Backbone, Chandelier Plant, Mother of Millions

Scientific Name: Kalanchoe spp

Family: Crassulaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:Vomiting, depression, ataxia, slow heart rate.

Larkspur

Scientific Name: Delphinium species

Family: Ranunculaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

 

Symptoms:

neuromuscular paralysis, constipation, colic, increased salivation, muscle tremors, stiffness, weakness, recumbency, and convulsions. Cardiac failure, death from respiratory paralysis.

Leek

Other Common Names: Elephant Garlic

Scientific Name: Allium ampeloprasum

Family: Liliaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:

Vomiting, breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia), blood in urine, weakness, high heart rate, panting.

Lemon

Scientific Name: Citrus limonia

Family: Rutaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:Vomiting, diarrhea, depression; potential photosensitivity.

Lily

Scientific Name: Lilium species

Family: Liliaceae

Toxic to:

Cats

Symptoms:Kidney failure.

Lime

Scientific Name: Citrus aurantifolia

Family: Rutaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

HorsesSymptoms:Vomiting, diarrhea, depression; potential photosensitivity.

Lobelia

Other Common Names: Cardinal Flower, Indian Pink

Scientific Name: Lobelia cardinalis

Family: Campanulaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:Depression, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, heart rhythm disturbances.

Morning Glory

Scientific Name: Ipomoea spp

Family: Convolvulaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Symptoms:Gastrointestinal upset, agitation, tremors, disorientation, ataxia, anorexia. Seeds may cause hallucination, may cause diarrhea..

Onion

Scientific Name: Allium cepa

Family: Liliaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:Gastrointestinal upset, hemolytic anemia, heinz Vomiting, breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia), blood in urine, weakness, high heart rate, panting.

Orange

Scientific Name: Citrus sinensis

Family: Rutaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:Vomiting, diarrhea, depression; potential photosensitivity.

Peach

Scientific Name: Prunus species

Family: Rosaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

HorsesSymptoms:Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock.

Peony

Scientific Name: Paeonis officinalis

Family: Paeniaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:Vomiting, diarrhea, depression.

Primrose

Scientific Name: Primula vulgaris

Family: Primulaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:Mild vomiting.

Rhododendron

Other Common Names: Rosebay, Azalea

Scientific Name: Rhododendron spp

Family: Ericaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:Vomiting, diarrhea, hyper-salivation, weakness, coma, hypotension, CNS depression, cardiovascular collapse and death. Ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems. Horses:Clinical effects typically occur within a few hours after ingestion, and can include acute digestive upset, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, colic, depression, weakness, loss of coordination, stupor, leg paralysis, weak heart rate and recumbency for 2 or more days; at this point, improvement may be seen or the animal may become comatose and die.

Rhubarb

Other Common Names: Pie Plant

Scientific Name: Rheum rhabarbarium

Family: Polygonaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:Kidney failure, tremors, salivation.

Stargazer Lily

Scientific Name: Lilium orientalis

Family: Liliaceae

Toxic to:

Cats

Symptoms:Vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, kidney failure and death is possible.

Sweet Pea

Other Common Names: Perennial Pea, Everlasting Pea

Scientific Name: Lathyrus latifolius

Family: Fabaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:Weakness, lethargy, pacing, head pressing, tremors, seizures and possibly death.

Tiger Lily

Scientific Name: Lilium tigrinum

Family: Liliaceae

Toxic to:

Cats

Symptoms:Vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, kidney failure, and death is possible.

Tomato Plant

Scientific Name: Lycopersicon spp

Family: Solanaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

HorsesSymptoms:Hyper-salivation, inappetence, severe gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, drowsiness, CNS depression, confusion, behavioral change, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate.

Tulip

Scientific Name: Tulipa species

Family: Liliaceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

HorsesSymptoms:Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, hyper-salivation. Highest concentration of toxin in bulb.

Yarrow

Other Common Names: Milfoil

Scientific Name: Achillea millefolium

Family: Asteraceae

Toxic to:

Dogs

Cats

Horses

Symptoms:vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, hyper-salivation.