Toxic Plants for Cats and Dogs

We have compiled the most comprehensive list of toxic house plants for your cats and dogs, due to the frequency that this question is asked over in the HPH group. No pet owner wants to find out after the fact that they've brought home a potentially harmful plant, so we've compiled a list of the most common house plants that have toxic properties for dogs and cats. You can click on the example photos to enlarge them if you need to ID a plant. If you ever think your pet has eaten a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian immediately. If it is after hours, you can call an emergency vet, or if you live in the USA, you can call one of several animal poison control numbers, which may cost you around $60-65. The ASPCA animal poison control number is (888) 426-4435, which is open 24/7.

Adenium obesum:
Common name: Desert Rose, Desert Azalea, Mock Azalea, Impala Lily, Kudu Lily.
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Loss of appetite, depression, diarrhea, vomiting, irregular heart beat, and death.

Agave spp.:
Common name: Agave
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Redness, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Possible, but rare, difficulty breathing due to swelling.

Aglaonema modestum:
Common name: Chinese Evergreen
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Redness, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Possible, but rare, difficulty breathing due to swelling.

Aloe (vera and barbadensis):
Common name: Aloe, True Aloe, Medicinal Aloe, Barbados Aloe.
Toxic to: Dogs and cats.
Symptoms: Diarrhea, lethargy, and vomiting. Dogs can have severe diarrhea if they consume Aloe vera

Alocasia:
Common name: Elephant ear
Toxic to: Dogs and cats.
Symptoms: Redness, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and possible, but rare, difficulty breathing due to swelling.

Anthurium spp.:
Common Name: Anthurium, Flamingo Flower, Tail Flower.
Toxic to: Dogs and cats.
Symptoms: Redness, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and possible, but rare, difficulty breathing due to swelling.

Arums spp.:
Common name: Cuckoo-pint, Lord-And-Ladies, Wild Calla, Soloman’s Lily, Wild Arum
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Redness, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Possible, but rare, difficulty breathing due to swelling.

Begonia spp:
Common name: Begonia
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Vomiting and excessive drooling. The tubers are the most toxic part of the plant.

Brugmansia spp.:
Common name: Angel’s Trumpet
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, hyperactivity, increased temperature, constipation, dilated pupils, lack of coordination, confusion, increased heart rate, shaking, seizures, trouble breathing, and rarely death.

Brunfelsia:
Common name: Kiss-Me-Quick, Lady-Of-The-Night, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Coughing, excessive drooling, shaking, lethargy, loss of coordination, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures that can last for several days.

Caladium hortulanum:
Common name: Caladium, Elephant Ears
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Redness, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Possible, but rare, difficulty breathing due to swelling.

Cannabis sativa:
Common name: Marijuana
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Depression, sleepiness, hyperactivity, vomiting, lack of coordination, excessive drooling, dilated pupils, lowered blood pressure, lowered body temperature, seizure, coma, and in rare cases, death.

Chrysanthemum spp:
Common name: Mum, Daisy
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Excessive drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of coordination, dermatitis (rash, itchiness, red skin).

Clivia spp:
Common name: Kaffir Lily, Clivia Lily, Caffre Lily, Cape Clivia
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea. If the animal has eaten a lot, it can cause seizures, shaking, low blood pressure, and irregular heart beat. The bulbs are the most poisonous part.

Colocasia esculenta:
Common name: Caladium, Elephant Ear
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Redness, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Possible, but rare, difficulty breathing due to swelling.

Convallaria majalis:
Common name: Lily of the Valley
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Confusion, vomiting, seizures, lowered blood pressure, irregular heart beat, and coma.

Cordyline spp.:
Common name: Ti-Plant, Palm Lily, Giant Dracaene, Grass Palm
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Loss of appetite, depression, vomiting (possibly with blood), and excessively drooling. Can cause dilated pupils in cats.

Crassula spp.:
Common name: Jade, Dwarf Rubber Plant, Baby Jade, Dwarf Jade, Chinese Jade, Silver Jade, Silver Dollar
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Vomiting, depression, weakness, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, lethargy, slowed heart rate (rare), impaired muscle movement (not as common), and can cause a drunken appearance in cats.

Cycad spp.:
Common name: Sago Palm, Fern Palm
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Dark stools, blood diarrhea, vomit (possibly with blood), jaundice (yellowing of the eyes, skin, mouth), bruising, thirstiness, liver failure, and death. As little as 1-2 seeds can be fatal.

Cyclamen spp.:
Common name: Cyclamen
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the animal eats a large quantity it can cause seizures and death.

Dahlia spp.:
Common name: Dahlia
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Mild skin irritation, mild nausea, mild vomiting, and mild diarrhea.

Dieffenbachia amoena:
Common name: Dieffenbachia, Dumb Cane
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Redness, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Possible, but rare, difficulty breathing due to swelling.

Dracaena spp.:
Common name: Dracaena, Corn Plant, Dragon Tree, Ribbon Plant, Gold Dust, Spotted, Song of India, etc.
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Vomiting (occasionally with blood), loss of appetite, depression, excessive drooling. Can cause dilated pupils in cats.

Epipremnum spp.:
Common name: Pothos, Devil’s Ivy, Taro Vine, Golden Devil’s Ivy, Jade, Jessenia, Manjula, Marble Queen, Jade, Cebu Blue, etc.
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Redness, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Possible, but rare, difficulty breathing due to swelling.

Eucalyptus globulus:
Common name: Eucalyptus
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Excessive drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, depression, lethargy.

Euphorbia spp.:
Common name: Poinsettia, Sticks of Fire, Crown of Thorns, Stone Spurge, Devil’s Backbone, Jamaican Poinsettia, Spurge, Candle Plant, Green Coral, African Milk Tree, Baseball Plant, etc.
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Mouth irritation, nausea, can sometimes cause vomiting. Generally the toxicity is much less than people claim it to be.

Ficus spp.:
Common name: Fig, Rubber Tree
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Skin irritation, vomiting, excessive drooling, pawing at the face, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, mouth pain, and diarrhea.

Gardenia jasminoides:
Common name: Gardenia, Cape Jasmine
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Hives, mild diarrhea, vomiting

Gloriosa superba:
Common name: Gloriosa Lily, Climbing Lily, Glory Lily, Superb Lily
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Diarrhea, bloody vomit, shock, damage to multiple organs, inability for bone marrow to grow.

Hedera helix:
Common name: English Ivy
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Excessive drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The leaves are more toxic than the berries.

Hippeastrum spp.:
Common name: Amaryllis, Belladonna Lily
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea. If the animal has eaten a lot, it can cause seizures, shaking, low blood pressure, and irregular heart beat. The bulbs are the most poisonous part.

Hyacinth orientalis:
Common name: Hyacinth
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation, and allergic reactions. The bulbs are the most poisonous part.

Hydrangea spp.:
Common name: Hydrangea, Horstenia
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Depression, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, increased heart rate, increased temperature. The flowers and leaves are the most toxic. The toxin in Hydrangea spp. is cyanogenic glycosides, which can rarely cause cyanide intoxication.

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Ilex opaca:
Common name: English Holly, American Holly, Winterberry
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Depression, diarrhea, and vomiting.

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Kalanchoe spp.:
Common name: Kalanchoe, Florist Kalanchoe, Flaming Katy, Mother of Millions, Devil’s Backbone, Panda Plant, etc.
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Diarrhea, Vomiting, and in rare cases irregular heart beat.

Lilium longiflorum:
Common name: Easter Lily
Toxic to: Cats
Symptoms: Lack of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, kidney failure, and death.

Monstera spp.:
Common name: Swiss Cheese Plant, Mexican Breadfruit, Ceriman, Swiss Cheese Vine, etc.
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Redness, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Possible, but rare, difficulty breathing due to swelling.

Narcissus spp.:
Common name: Daffodil, Jonquil, Narcissus, Paper White.
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea. If the animal has eaten a lot, it can cause seizures, shaking, low blood pressure, and irregular heart beat. The bulbs are the most poisonous part.

Oxalis spp.:
Common name: Shamrock, Good Luck Plants, Sorrel
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Excessive drooling, shaking, and in rare cases, kidney failure.

Pelargonium spp.:
Common name: Geranium
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, loss of coordination, muscle weakness, depression, and if a lot is eaten, lowered temperature is seen. Cats are more sensitive to it than dogs.

Philodendron spp.:
Common name: Heartleaf, Velvet, Horsehead, Split Leaf, Pink Princess, Red Emerald, etc.
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Redness, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Possible, but rare, difficulty breathing due to swelling.

Primula vulgaris:
Common name: Primose
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Vomiting.

Sansevieria spp.:
Common name: Snake Plant, Mother-In-Law’s-Tongue
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.

Schefflera spp.:
Common name: Schefflera, Umbrella Tree
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, pawing at the mouth, excessive drooling. Possible, but rare, difficulty breathing.

Scindapsis pictus:
Common name: Satin Pothos, Silver Vine
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Redness, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Possible, but rare, difficulty breathing due to swelling.

Solanum pseudocapsicum:
Common name: Ornamental Pepper
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Depression, vomiting, diarrhea, possible stomach and intestinal ulcers, seizures, difficulty breathing, and shock.

Spathiphyllum spp.:
Common name: Peace Lily
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Redness, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Possible, but rare, difficulty breathing due to swelling.

Strelitzia reginae:
Common name: Bird of Paradise
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Drowsiness, vomiting, mild nausea. Symptoms mainly caused by eating the seeds and fruit.

Syngonium podophyllum:
Common name: Arrowhead vine, Nephthytis
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Redness, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Possible, but rare, difficulty breathing due to swelling.

Tradescantia spp.:
Common name: Inch Plant, Wandering Jew
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Skin redness, itching, and rash.

Trichila dregeana/emetica :
Common name: Natal Mahogany Tree
Toxic to: Dogs and cats. The seed coating is extremely poisonous.
Symptoms: Eating the bark of the tree can cause vomiting but there is little information about symptoms of eating the seed coating.

Yucca spp.:
Common name: Yucca
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Vomiting.

Zamia spp. (furfuracea, pumila):
Common name: ZZ Plant, Cardboard Palm, Sago Palm
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Dark stools, blood diarrhea, vomit (possibly with blood), jaundice (yellowing of the eyes, skin, mouth), bruising, thirstiness, liver failure, and death. As little as 1-2 seeds can be fatal.

Zantedeschia aethiopica:
Common name: Calla Lily
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms: Redness, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. Possible, but rare, difficulty breathing due to swelling.