| The effects of these poisonous plants can range from mild nausea to death. Vulnerability to plant toxicities depends on pet species, amount ingested and the size of your pet.
Plant Smarts
Plants and flowers that pet owners should educate themselves about most are those that can lead to death through heart, central nervous system and kidney damage, says Dr. Cori Gross, a field veterinarian for VPI Pet Insurance. For example, while poinsettias can certainly cause minor gastrointestinal issues in cats, lilies are often deadly.
In some cases, the entire plant is toxic but in some cases it may just be the bulb, stem, leaf or petal of the plant that is poisonous. You need to check with your veterinarian if you have any questions about the portion of the plant that is toxic. It is probably best not to have any poisonous plants around pets. Sprays sold in pet stores or nurseries to keep pets away from plants are often not very effective.
Top Toxins Checklist
Lilies, like many plants and flowers, are toxic in small amounts. Lilies might smell fabulous but these particular blooms are incredibly lethal and can lead to heart and renal failure. (Signs of toxicity might include rapid breathing, racing or irregular pulse, cold extremities, vomiting and lethargy.)
Some plants are not that toxic unless pets have ingested a large amount — at that point in time, it could become fatal. Cardiotoxic plants* and lilies are the worst kind, says Gross.
Plant species that pet owners should exclude from flowerbeds to protect pets include:
 Autumn crocus* - Azalea*
- Calla lily
- Day lily
- Easter lily
- Elephant's ear
- Foxglove*
- Hyacinth*
- Hydrangea*
- Japanese pieris*
- Larkspur
- Lupine
- Morning glory
- Oleander*
- Rhododendron*
- Tiger lily
- Yew
"As a general rule, if you even think your pet nibbled on one of your plants, call your veterinarian because some of these toxins act very quickly."
Plants, fruits and vegetables to omit from gardens and to avoid elsewhere:
 Avocados - Grapes and raisins
- Onions and garlic
- Rhubarb (leaves)
- Tomato (leaves and immature fruit)
- Cycad species, including sago palm, can cause liver failure. (Signs of toxicity here might include vomiting.). Castor Beans and acorns are also very toxic.
Make sure to check out a list of other budding poisons and subsequent symptoms here.
In An Emergency
“As a general rule, if you even think your pet nibbled on one of your plants, call your veterinarian because some of these toxins act very quickly,” says Gross. “Don’t forget to bring a sample of the plant to the veterinarian's office for identification, as well as an estimate as to how much the pet ate.”
If you believe your pet ingested poison, you can also contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (aspca.org) 24-hour emergency poison hotline at 1-888-426-4435.
For more information on common pet toxins and poisons, visit the Pet HealthZone toxins and poisons center.
Return to the VPI Pet HealthZone>> |
Products available through this site are only available for residents of the United States.
In Canada, please contact Petsecure at www.petsecure.com.
If you’ve got a green thumb or even the slightest fondness for keeping houseplants around then it’s time to take a serious inventory of the foliage inside and around your home. The 
