Poisonous Plants to Dogs
This guide aims to ensure our furry friends are safe and healthy, especially when they're exploring the great outdoors. However, many common plants found in gardens, parks, and woodlands can be highly toxic to dogs.
Ingesting these plants can lead to various symptoms, ranging from mild discomfort to severe illness and even fatalities.
This guide is designed to help you identify and avoid poisonous plants for dogs that are commonly found in the UK.
Aconitum (Monkshood) - Aconitum spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Highly toxic, causing severe symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.
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Amaryllis - Hippeastrum spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
The bulbs can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and hypotension.
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Asparagus fern - Asparagus setaceus - Poisonous to dogs!:
Causes skin irritation and, if ingested, leads to vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
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Autumn Crocus - Colchicum autumnale - Poisonous to dogs!:
Highly toxic, causing severe gastrointestinal issues, internal bleeding, and organ failure.
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Azalea - Rhododendron spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, coma or death.
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Bluebells - Hyacinthoides non-scripta - Poisonous to dogs!:
Affect the heart and cause stomach upset, with varying severity depending on the amount ingested.
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Buttercups - Ranunculus spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Can cause severe digestive issues and blistering of the mouth.
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Christmas Rose - Helleborus niger - Poisonous to dogs!:
All parts are poisonous, causing severe gastrointestinal issues.
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Chrysanthemum - Chrysanthemum spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Can cause skin irritation and gastrointestinal problems if ingested.​
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Cyclamen - Cyclamen spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
The roots are particularly toxic, causing severe vomiting and diarrhea.
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Daffodil - Narcissus spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Particularly the bulbs, contain toxic alkaloids causing vomiting, abdominal pain, and potential heart issues.
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Day lilies - Hemerocallis spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Can cause kidney failure in dogs.
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Delphiniums (Larkspur) - Delphinium spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Highly toxic, causing severe symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.
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Dog's Mercury - Mercurialis perennis - Poisonous to dogs!:
Causes vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
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Elder - Sambucus nigra - Poisonous to dogs!:
Leaves, bark, and unripe berries are toxic.
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Foxglove - Digitalis purpurea - Poisonous to dogs!:
Contains toxic compounds called cardiac glycosides, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and severe heart issues.
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Grapevines - Vitis spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Consuming grapes or raisins can lead to serious kidney failure and death.
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Hemlock - Conium maculatum - Poisonous to dogs!:
Extremely poisonous, affecting the nervous system and potentially causing death.
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Holly - Ilex aquifolium - Poisonous to dogs!:
Berries and leaves can cause severe digestive upset.
Horse Chestnut - Aesculus hippocastanum - Poisonous to dogs!:
Seeds and leaves are toxic, causing gastrointestinal issues.
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Hydrangea - Hydrangea spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Contains cyanogenic glycosides, causing vomiting, lethargy, and difficulty breathing.
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Iris - Iris spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
All parts, especially rhizomes, can cause digestive issues.
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Ivy - Hedera spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Causes gastrointestinal upset, drooling, and difficulty breathing due to its irritants.
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Laburnum - Laburnum anagyroides - Poisonous to dogs!:
Contains cytisine, which is extremely toxic to dogs.
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Lily - Lilium spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Particularly members of the Lilium genus, can cause severe kidney damage or even kidney failure.
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Lords-and-Ladies - Arum maculatum- Poisonous to dogs!:
All parts are toxic, causing severe burning sensation and swelling.
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Lupins - Lupinus spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, convulsions and death.
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Mistletoe - Viscum album - Poisonous to dogs!:
Berries can cause severe digestive issues and heart problems.
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Morning glory - Ipomoea spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Can cause hallucinations, disorientation, and in severe cases, seizures.
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Nightshade - Solanum spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, convulsions and death.
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Oleander - Nerium oleander - Poisonous to dogs!:
Extremely toxic, affecting the heart and digestive system, and can be fatal.
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Philodendron - Philodendron spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Contains calcium oxalate crystals causing oral irritation and swelling.
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Potato - Solanum tuberosum - Poisonous to dogs!:
Green parts and sprouts contain solanine, which is toxic.
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Privet - Ligustrum spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Berries and leaves can cause nausea and nervous agitation.
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Ragwort - Senecio jacobaea - Poisonous to dogs!:
Can result in irreversible liver and kidney failure if eaten in sufficient quantity.
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Rhododendron - Rhododendron spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, coma or death.
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Rhubarb - Rheum rhabarbarum - Poisonous to dogs!:
Leaves contain oxalic acid which is highly toxic.
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Snowdrops - Galanthus nivalis - Poisonous to dogs!:
Bulbs are toxic and can cause gastrointestinal issues.
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Sweet pea - Lathyrus odoratus - Poisonous to dogs!:
Can cause weakness, lethargy, and in severe cases, convulsions and death.
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Tulip - Tulipa spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
The bulbs can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, heart problems and breathing difficulties.
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Umbrella plant - Schefflera spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, convulsions and death.
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Wisteria - Wisteria spp. - Poisonous to dogs!:
Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, collapse and death.
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Yarrow - Achillea millefolium - Poisonous to dogs!:
The toxic components of yarrow include sesquiterpene lactones, glycoalkaloids, and tannins, which can cause adverse reactions in pets if ingested.
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Yew - Taxus baccata - Poisonous to dogs!:
Both berries and foliage are highly toxic, causing severe digestive issues and can be fatal.