This is a list of some common plants that are toxic to our pets. They are arranged by which body system is affected. All plants that have the potential to cause death are marked as “fatal” in the listing. This list was compiled by Dr. Randall Gage at Oak Hills Animal Hospital. It is by no means a complete list of toxic plants. As with most toxins the effects are dose dependent (amount consumed).
Contact information for the Animal Poison Control Center.
Phone: 1-800-548-2423 or 1-888-426-4435. There is a charge for this call.
Web-site: www.aspca.org/apcc
Poisonous Plants Affecting the Gastrointestinal Tract
Amaryllis Mushrooms and Toadstools – fatal
Azalea Night Shade
Castor beans – fatal Poinsettia
Daffodils (Narcissus) Tulips
English Ivy – fatal Walnut
Mistletoe – fatal
Clinical Signs: Anorexia, depression, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (may be hemorrhagic), hypersalivation, sudden death.
Poisonous Plants Causing Stomatitis – Glossitis Syndrome
(Mouth and Throat Inflammation)
Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)
Philodendron
Elephant Ears
Clinical Signs: Oral pain, head shaking, intense salivation, drinking copious amounts of water, tongue swelling, pharyngeal swelling, difficulty breathing due to swelling and obstruction of the airway.
Poisonous Plants Affecting the Nervous System
Japanese Yew – fatal
Stinging Nettle – fatal
Tobacco – fatal
Clinical Signs: Salivation, muscle weakness, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle twitching, staggering, collapse, sudden death.
Poisonous Plants Affecting the Blood and Circulation
Lily-of-the-Valley – fatal
Oleander – fatal
Purple Foxglove – fatal
Yellow Oleander – fatal
Clinical Signs: Begin 3 hours after ingestion, vomiting, diarrhea, straining to defecate, struggling to breath, abnormal heart rhythms, death.
Cyanide Poisoning
Almond – fatal
Apple – fatal
Apricot – fatal
Bitter Cherry – fatal
Choke Cherry – fatal
Sweet Cherry – fatal
Wild Black Cherry – fatal
Clinical Signs: Apprehension, muscle ticks, involuntary defecation and urination, convulsions, death within minutes to hours.
Poisoning from Illicit Drug Plant
Marijuana
Jimson Weed – fatal
Thorn Apple – fatal
Trumpet Vine – fatal
Clinical Signs: Depression, derangement, hallucinations, diarrhea, incoordination, nervousness in some animals, increased thirst, delirium, convulsions, coma, death.