Flowers and Plants Toxic to Dogs and Cats (an A-Z guide)

A common household plant with excellent healing properties for us humans, aloe vera is toxic to both cats and dogs.

Toxin: Anthraquinones

Toxicity level: Mild to moderate

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, depression, changes in the colour of urine, tremors

There are over 1,000 species of rhododendrons/azaleas. Azaleas are the smaller species, and the large shrubs are the rhododendrons which are the more toxic. All parts of this plant can be poisonous to cats and dogs.

Toxin: Grayantoxin

Toxicity level: Moderate to high

Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, lack of appetite, abnormal heart rate, weakness, hypotension, depression, transient blindness, seizures

While most species of bamboo are safe, there are a couple which are toxic for our pets.

Toxic bamboos: False Bamboo and Lucky Bamboo (pictured)

Toxin: Cycanogenic glycosides

Toxicity level: Moderate

Symptoms: Weakness, lack of coordination, seizures, difficulties breathing

Part of the allium family, which includes onion, garlic and leeks, chives can be poisonous to both cats and dogs. Small amounts, particularly for dogs, may be safe. However, large amounts can be extremely toxic.

Toxin: N-propyl disulfide

Toxicity level: Mild

Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, abdominal pain, elevated heart rate and breathing, weakness, collapse, pale gums

Vibrant in colour, the chrysanthemum is highly toxic to cats. It can also be toxic to dogs.

Toxin: Pyrethrins, sesquiterpene, lactones

Toxicity level: High

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, lack of appetite

On the list of flowers and plants toxic to dogs and cats is the cyclamen. While beautiful this plant is toxic to both cats and dogs.

Toxin: Terpenoid saponins

Toxicity level: Moderate

Symptoms: Vomiting, drooling, diarrhoea, abnormal heart rate, seizures

A bright and happy flower, the daffodil is highly toxic to cats and dogs.

Toxin: Lycorine

Toxicity level: Moderate to high

Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, increase in heart rate, abdominal pain, abnormal breathing

No list of plants toxic to dogs and cats is complete without fern. While leafy and lush, ferns are plants toxic to both cats and dogs.

Toxic ferns: Asparagus Fern, Emerald Fern (pictured), Lace Fern, Plumosa Fern

Toxin: Unknown

Toxicity level: Mild to moderate

Symptoms: Skin irritation, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea

Holly may be the quintessential Christmas decoration, but unfortunately, both its leaves and berries are poisonous to our cats and dogs. It’s best to keep pets away from all varieties of holly, but the Christmas and English varieties, in particular, can cause severe gastrointestinal upset when ingested. And with its spiky leaves, holly can also irritate the mouth and throat, causing pets to shake their heads excessively trying to rid themselves of it.

Toxin: Saponins, methylxanthines and cyanogens

Toxicity level: Moderate to high

Symptoms: Drooling, licking lips, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhoea, appetite loss

These vibrant flowers, particularly the bulb, can be toxic to cats and dogs.

Toxin: Allergenic lactones

Toxicity level: Moderate to high

Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, increased heart rate, difficulty or rapid breathing

This beautiful and colourful common garden shrub can be toxic to cats and dogs.

Toxin: Cyanogenic glycoside

Toxicity level: Mild

Symptoms: Lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea

This vibrant flower is toxic to cats and dogs, especially the roots.

Toxin: Iridaceae

Toxicity level: Mild

Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy

Certain species of ivy can be toxic to both cats and dogs. Foliage is more toxic than its berries.

Toxic ivy: Branching Ivy, English Ivy (pictured), Needlepoint Ivy

Toxin: Triterpenoid saponins

Toxicity level: Moderate

Symptoms: Diarrhoea, breathing difficulty, fever, excessive thirst, dilated pupils, weakness, hyperactivity

Lilies from the lilium and hemerocallis families are highly toxic to cats. All parts of the plant are toxic and if left untreated lily intoxication causes acute renal failure within 12-36 hours. Cats only need to ingest a very small amount to be affected. Lilies are mildly toxic to dogs, but their reactions are not quite so severe.

Toxic lilium lilies: Asiatic, Easter Lily, Japanese Show, Rubrum, Stargazer Lily, Red, Tiger Lily (pictured), Western, Wood lilies

Toxic hemerocallis lilies: Day Lily

Toxin: Unknown

Toxicity level: High

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, lethargy, excessive thirst

Do you hang mistletoe at Christmas? If you use the American variety be aware the berries from this festive plant if ingested by our pooches and feline friends can cause mild gastrointestinal signs. If a large amount is ingested symptoms can become more severe.

Toxic mistletoe: Phoradendron serotinum (American variety) and Viscum album (European variety)

Toxin: Polysaccharides, alkaloids, and lectins

Toxicity level: Moderate to high

Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, abnormal heart rate, collapse, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, seizures

All parts of this shrub with its delicate flower is highly toxic to both cats and dogs.

Toxin: Cardiac glycoside

Toxicity level: Moderate to high

Symptoms: Abnormal heart rate, drooling, vomiting, tremors, seizures

This blooming shrub with its large colourful flowers is toxic to cats and dogs.

Toxin: Paeonol

Toxicity level: Mild

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea

No plant quite says Christmas like the poinsettia does with its bright red, and sometimes white, leaves! While it may have a bad reputation for being highly poisonous to our furry friends, the poinsettia is in fact only mildly toxic to cats and dogs. For poinsettia poisoning to occur a large amount of the plant would have to be ingested – almost the entire plant!

Toxin: Irritant sap

Toxicity level: Mild

Symptoms: Drooling, licking lips, vomiting, diarrhoea, skin irritation, eye irritation

While the poppy is used as a symbol to honour the men and women who served and continue to serve, it can be toxic to cats and dogs.

Toxin: Alkoloids

Toxicity level: Mild to moderate

Symptoms: Change in behaviour (sedation or excitability), lack of appetite, dilated or pinpoint pupils

There are over 1,000 species of rhododendrons/azaleas. Azaleas are the smaller species, and the large shrubs are the rhododendrons which are the more toxic. All parts of this plant can be poisonous to cats and dogs.

Toxin: Grayantoxin

Toxicity level: Moderate to high

Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, lack of appetite, abnormal heart rate, weakness, hypotension, depression, transient blindness, seizures

Did you know that all parts of this common tropical plant are toxic, with the seed being the most toxic part? This is the most common plant toxicity we see in our hospitals. Ingestion of even just one seed can cause severe illness. It is poisonous to both cats and dogs.

Toxin: Cycasin

Toxicity level: High

Symptoms: Drooling, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, seizures, tremors, lethargy, abdominal pain

These vibrant flowers, particularly the bulb, can be toxic to cats and dogs.

Toxin: Tulipalin A and B

Toxicity level: Moderate to high

Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, increased heart rate, difficulty or rapid breathing

This bright flowering shrub may look pretty but don’t be fooled, all parts of this nightshade can be poisonous to cats and dogs.

Toxin: Brunfelsamidine and hopeanine

Toxicity level: Mild to moderate

Symptoms: Vomiting, anxious behaviour, coordination problems, tremors, seizures