Plant Name

Description

Symptoms

Cannabis

The leaves, fresh or dry, stems and seeds are highly toxic to dogs.

Incoordination, tremors, drooling, seizures, possible respiratory problems, depression,  and coma.

Lilies

There are dangerous and benign lilies. Peace, Peruvian and Calla lilies all contain oxalate crystals that elicit minor irritation to the mouth, tongue, pharynx and oesophagus.  The more dangerous and potentially fatal lilies are Tiger, Day, Asiatic, Easter and Japanese Show lilies all of which are highly toxic.

Vomiting, diarrhoea, lack of appetite, stomach pain, and difficulty swallowing. In regard to the toxic lilies, even small ingestions such as 2 or 3 petals can result in kidney failure. 

Sago

Cycads – all parts of the plant are highly toxic to dogs.

Vomiting, diarrhoea, liver damage, multiple organ failure and in severe cases, death.

Ivy

English Ivy, Devil’s Ivy / Golden Pothos have moderate toxicity to dogs.

Mouth and stomach irritation, excessive drooling, foaming at the mouth, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Philodendrons

Swiss Cheese plant, Heartleaf and Fiddle Leaf philodendron, have a toxicity level of mild to moderate.

Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Rubber Tree Plant

Some rubber tree plants (Japanese, Chinese, Jade, Indian) are toxic to dogs.

Decreased appetite, drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, and skin irritation. 

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera’s level of toxicity is mild to moderate for dogs.

Vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, depression, anorexia, tremors and changes in urine.

Chinese Evergreen

Chinese evergreen’s level of toxicity is mild to moderate, though symptoms can include liver and kidney damage.

Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.

Asparagus Fern

Asparagus fern, also known as Emerald Feather and Lace Fern is mild to moderate in toxicity .

Allergic dermatitis, drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.

Lantana

Considered a weed in Australia, extremely toxic to dogs.

Depression, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, loss of appetite, shock, abdominal swelling, paralysis, possible liver failure.

Oleander

An outdoor shrub.  Leaves and flowers are extremely toxic if ingested.

Severe vomiting, slowing of the heart rate and possibly death.

Azalea

In the same family as Rhododendrons, Azaleas can have a serious effect on dogs.  Even eating just a few leaves. They contain grayanotoxins. These toxins interrupt the sodium channels in cardiac and skeletal muscles.

Vomiting, diarrhoea and excessive drooling.  Without intervention, the dog could fall into a coma and die.

Cyclamen

The roots of the Cyclamen are especially dangerous.

If ingested can cause vomiting, paralysis, digestive problems, even death.

Kalanchoe

A popular flowering succulent plant.

Can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and heart arrhythmias if ingested. 

Daffodils

Daffodil bulbs are toxic, but  not severely toxic. Your dog needs to consume a fair amount to be poisoned, even then, will rarely die from daffodil poisoning.

Nausea, vomiting and can be fatal.

Dieffenbachia

Also known as Dumb Cane. This is because the plant can be highly toxic. The reason why dieffenbachia is toxic is due to its inherent qualities. Within the stem or leaf of a dieffenbachia, you will usually find enzymes and acids in the form of crystals that can release into the dog’s mouth or stomach and cause poisoning.

Ingesting the stem or leaves can lead to irritation, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea.

If the crystals burst in the mouth, they can lead to swelling or blistering.

A dog severely allergic to the plant can experience hives or breathing issues.

Tulips and Hyacinths

Tulips contain allergenic lactone and hyacinths contain a similar alkaloids.  The toxin is highly concentrated in the bulbs.

Can cause irritation to the mouth and oesophagus eliciting profuse drooling, vomiting, and diarrhoea.  Large ingestions can increase heart rates and causes changes in respiration.

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums are many toxic plants that can harm your dog. Chrysanthemums contain pyrethins and sesquiterpene, both of which are irritants to a dog's skin and digestive systems.

Signs that might indicate your pup has ingested flowers, leaves or stems of mums include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, lack of coordination and dermatitis.

Rhubarb Leaves

A dropped scrap of rhubarb won’t likely cause a problem, but don’t intentionally feed rhubarb to a dog.

Signs of toxicity from rhubarb include drooling, low appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Crocus

There are two crocus.  One that blooms in Spring and the other in Autumn.  Spring plants are more common and are part of the Iridaceae Family, they are considered mildly  toxic. The Autumn Crocus, however, is a deadly highly toxic autumn flower. Their bright blooms hold a toxin that can make your dog incredibly unwell.

Ingestions can cause general gastrointestinal issues including vomiting and diarrhoea.  Autumn crocus can cause severe vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver and kidney damage and respiratory failure.  Signs can be delayed for up to 5 days.

Lily of the Valley

This plant contains cardiac glycosides which cause similar symptoms to digitalis ingestion.

Vomiting, diarrhoea, a drop in heart rate, severe cardia arrhythmias and possibly seizures.

Acacia

Wattle.  From the leaves to the flowers to the seeds. All parts of an Acacia tree or shrub is highly toxic to your dog.

Vomiting, anxiety, disorientation, shaking, drooling, seizures, and sudden death.

Eucalyptus

Gum Trees. All parts of the Eucalyptus is very dangerous to dogs.

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, depression and weakness.

Angels Trumpet

Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia) has such pretty flowers. In those flowers lies a deadly toxin called tropane alkaloids. Flowers and leaves are toxic.

 Disorientation, increased heart rate, dilated pupils, loss of appetite, and vomiting.

Black Locust

(Robinia pseudoacacia) Black Locust is a highly toxic plant to dogs. The culprits are toxins called toxalbumins. These cause cell damage and cell death. All parts but especially leaves and seeds.

Weakness, depression, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Castor oil plant (Ricinus communis)

The castor oil plant is one of the most deadly plants in the world for dogs and humans alike. The seeds contain ricin which is a highly toxic chemical. All parts but especially seeds.

Burning of the mouth, kidney failure, vomiting, diarrhea, and convulsions.

Cherry tree (Prunus serrulata)

Cherry tree plants contain a chemical that metabolizes into cyanide when ingested. Other similar trees which contain this chemical include Apricot and Cherry trees.

Some of the symptoms of apricot tree poisoning include widened pupils, irregular breathing, annexations, and coma.

Daphne 

Daphne is poisonous to dogs. The toxins in the daphne are similar to the toxins found in the Euphorbiaceae family.  The bark, leaves and fruit are toxic.

Blistering around mouth and tongue, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.

Elderberry (Sambucus)

Elderberry is another plant that has cyanide running through its veins. All parts apart from the fully ripened berry are highly toxic to your dog. It can cause severe poisoning within 10-15 minutes. It can kill your dog within 30 minutes.

Dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, red gums, and sudden death.

Elephant Ear Plant (Colocasia)

Elephant Ear Plant belongs to the same family of toxic plants as Devil’s Ivy and Dumb Cane. This is a mild-moderate poisoning. 

 Drooling, burning around the mouth, decreased appetite, and vomiting.

Foxgloves (Digitalis)

Foxgloves may be beautiful but are very toxic to animals. The trumpet shapes flowers contain heart killing toxins. These are called cardiac glycoside toxins.

If your dog ingests enough of the plant, it could be life-threatening. Abnormal heart rate, drooling, nausea, vomiting, dilated pupils, tremors and seizure.

 Golden Chain (Laburnum)

 This plant is poison all over! It’s unlikely to kill your dog straight away but may if left untreated. It will certainly make them very sick. 

Vomiting, diarrhea, blue tint to the skin, convulsions, dehydration, weakness.

Hemlock (Conium maculatum)

Hemlock is often named Poison Hemlock for a reason. It is highly toxic and can severely harm your dog if they eat any part of the plant.

 Drooling, vomiting, paralysis, and can cause death.

Holly (Ilex varieties)

Apart from the spiky leaves that can injure your dog, ingesting the berries or anything else will release a cocktail of toxins.

Drooling, and lip smacking.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are a gardener’s staple. They are also mildly poisonous to dogs

Depression, lethargy, vomiting, raised heart rate, diarrhoea.

Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

Jack-in-the-pulpit is perfectly safe when cooked and dried. The mother plant is incredibly toxic. It contains calcium oxalate crystals which are responsible for a burning sensation in the mouth and oesophagus.

Drooling, burning around the mouth and tongue, vomiting.

Leather Flower (Clematis)

Clematis or Leather Flower is an interesting case. It is part of the ranunculus family. It contains toxins called protoamenonins. These cause mild symptoms if not much of the plant is eaten. If your dog eats a lot, the poisoning can be quite severe. Even deadly if left untreated. 

Drooling, vomiting, bloody stools, blistering around the mouth, abdominal pain

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace Lilies are an interesting inclusion to this list of plants poisonous to dogs. If your dog eats any part of your blooming Peace Lily, they will likely have some stomach upset and irritation around their mouth. 

Irritated mouth, drooling, vomiting (sometimes).

Madagascar Jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda)

Madagascar Jasmine is also known as wax flower. It is mostly irritating as opposed to outright toxic, though it depends on how much of your dog eats.

Allergic skin reaction, heart damage, liver damage, central nervous system issues

Mistletoe (Viscum album)

The symptoms of Mistletoe poisoning are similar to that of Holly poisoning. The symptoms are pretty mild if your dog only eats a little. If they eat a lot, they can display more severe symptoms that may need medical attention. 

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, collapse, seizures, death in extreme cases.

Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum) 

Star-of-Bethlehem is in the same family of plants as Lily of the Valley, Oleanders and Foxgloves. You can expect the same symptoms and levels of toxicity as those. 

Drooling, vomiting, abnormal heart rhythm, dilated pupils, seizures, tremors

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (Brunfelsia)

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow plants are quite unique as toxic plants. They attack the nervous system with a depressant toxin and a stimulant toxin. This leads to mostly coordination and mental health issues that you’ll notice. It’s like your dog has been drugged! If they display these symptoms, rush them to an emergency vet immediately for investigation. 

Vomiting, anxiousness, disorientation and coordination issues, seizures, tremors, shock.
 

Ficus

Ficus have high toxicity levels in both their leaves and fruits. It contains a sap that itself has explicit enzymes that cause Ficus poisoning to the dogs.

Your pups can have dermal irritation when Ficus leaves interact with their skin. Similarly, oral irritation, diarrhea, and vomiting are common reactions when your dog  ingests toxic parts of the Ficus tree.

Horse Chestnut

These trees drop solid and dark brown nuts which are very toxic for dogs. The leaves, flowers, and barks of this tree are also deadly for dogs. It contains Aesculin, a glycosidic saponin, which is a deadly toxin and can cause severe complications.

Some of the most common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and dilated pupils. In extreme cases, Horse Chestnut affects the central nervous system and can lead to coma. The large size of the nut can also pose choking risks.

Japanese Yew

Japanese Yew is a member of the Taxaceae family. Although the berries aren’t toxic to dogs, the leaves, seeds, and bay are extremely poisonous to them.

This toxin can cause shocks, nausea, struggle while breathing, and seizures.

Boxwood

This tree is known as Buxus spp. Its family name is Buxaceae and is considered a toxic species for dogs. The whole tree is poisonous as it contains alkaloids. Its toxicity level is so high that a very small quantity can cause substantial symptoms.

This plant can cause congestion of the lungs, kidneys, heart, and liver. This will then result in organ failure and death.

Wisteria

The seedpods are similar to peapods and are the most poisonous with high levels of lectin and wisterin toxins. Both of these can be lethal if seed pods or seeds are eaten, or if a large amount of flowers or foliage is consumed. There is no immediate pain or foul taste so your dog may continue to eat until a fatal amount is consumed.

Both toxins can result in fatalities, but the seed pods and the seeds themselves are the most toxic. Lectin results in clumping of the blood cells and produces dangerous blood clotting and possible stroke. The wisterin glycoside can also be fatal by causing severe diarrhea and vomiting that can result in dehydration and death.