Pet Safety: Our Comprehensive Guide to Poisonous Plants
Published date: 15 November 2024
Sometimes our furry friends like to sniff, lick and occasionally eat things they shouldn’t.
If your dog or cat loves to munch on plants in the garden or on their walks, it’s worth being able to identify which ones are dangerous. To help you keep your pet safe we have put together a comprehensive list of the plant species to avoid and the season they tend to grow in.
What can toxic plants do to my pet?
Reactions will vary from animal to animal. Some pets have a mild upset stomach, and others will have more serious consequences such as seizures, and vomiting.
In some cases, it is only certain parts of the plant that are toxic, like the seeds, stems or leaves. Regardless of whether it’s a part or the whole plant, anything potentially dangerous is best avoided.
So, you might be wondering which plants are dangerous for your pets. It turns out there are many, so the best to break this down is by season.
Dangerous Spring Plants
As the days get brighter and warmer there will be an emergence of beautiful but often dangerous spring flowers. Spring is bulb season which can be a tricky time of the year for pet owners.
Here are some of the key plants to avoid:
- Azalea
- Crocuses
- Daffodil
- Geranium
- Hyacinth
- Iris
- Gladioli
- Tulip
Other plants which often are spotted in spring but can still be in gardens during other summer, autumn & winter are:
- Giant Hogweed- This plant is dangerous for us and our pets. The leaves contain a compound which can cause skin to burn and blister.
- Holly
- Heavenly Bamboo
- Horse Chestnut
- Ivy
- Laurel
- Mistletoe
- Oak
- Garlic & Onion Plants (the bulbs are especially toxic)
- Rhubarb
- Rowan
- Snowdrops
- Yew
Read our Spring Safety Walking blog for advice on other dangers.
Dangerous Summer Plants
Our gardens truly do come alive during the summer months, with many plants blooming and vegetables growing. This is also the time of the year that keen gardeners will start planting their autumn bulbs.
Here are the summer plants to watch out for:
- Foxglove
- Hydrangea
- Ivy
- Lillies – these are highly toxic to cats and should be avoided both outside and inside the home.
- Larkspur
- Lily of the Valley
- Nightshade
- Oleander
- Potato Plant
- Ragwort
- Rowan
- Tomato
Dangerous Autumn Plants
Truly autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons. However, among the beautiful crinkly sea of red, amber and orange, there are some dangers for our dogs and cats.
Dropped leaves can be a nuisance for our pets, if ingested some species can cause stomach upset or worse.
Here are some plants to avoid:
- Autumn Crocus
- Laburnum
- Mushrooms & Fungi
- Oleander
- Ragwort
- Yew
- Cotoneaster
- Grape vines
- Ivy
- Holly
It is also worth mentioning the potential threat both conkers and acorns can pose.
Dangerous Winter Plants
As the chill sets in, there is likely to be less plant life at this time of the year. The biggest threats will be the evergreens (a plant that stays green and doesn’t drop leaves all year around) and those flowers that bloom in winter.
- Mistletoe
- Holly
- Poinsettia
- Amaryllis
- Yew
- Snowdrops
- Ivy
- Horse Chestnut
- Rowan
- Azalea
Of course, there is no set season for dangerous house plants, so here is a list of foliage to avoid:
- Aloe (the gel is safe in pet products; it is the skin that is toxic)
- Peace Lily
- Yucca (shredded yucca is common in pet food and is safe. There are many species.)
- Poinsettia
- Sago Palm
- Lillies – highly toxic for cats
- Cordyline
- Dracaena
The Signs of Plant Toxicity
Alongside understanding the species to avoid, it is worth knowing the symptoms to look out for in your pet.
Signs of toxicity or poisoning can include all or some of the below:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Struggling to Breathe
- Collapsing
- Drooling
- Pale Gums
- Drinking and urinating more
- Lethargy
- Blood in stools
- Low appetite
If you notice any of these symptoms get your furry friend to the vet straight away. If you have an idea what they might have eaten it is worth telling your vet to speed up treatment.
Find your nearest Pet Practice.
You can also get in contact with the Animal PoisonLine for 24-hour support.
Which plants are safe around pets?
Do not worry many beautiful plants are perfectly safe around our beloved pets. Your garden can still be filled with colour, by planting the following:
- Snapdragons
- Sunflowers
- Lavender
- Calendula
- Goldenrod
- Pansies
- Cornflowers
- Violets
- Honeysuckle
- Michaelmas daisies
- Petunias
For more help making your space safe, read our Pet-Friendly Garden blog.
Want some delicious treats to distract your dog from gobbling from your garden?
