I have enjoyed gardening for at least 30 years and enjoy sharing my
experience with others. Gardening is my time to meditate and unwind.

Azaleas are poisonous.

Wikipedia – Photographer – James G Howes

Plants and Flowers Toxic to Dogs

Many plants are toxic to dogs. Our dog, Beau, ate some daylily leaves and
vomited all day. We were becoming concerned because he couldn’t even keep down
water. This persuaded me to make a list of plants that are toxic to dogs.

Owners need to be aware that some dogs will try to eat almost anything. It is
helpful to know which common garden plants are toxic to them. There are over
700 varieties of plants that can make your animal sick and I can’t list them
all here, but I will list some of the most common that may be found in your
yard.

The leaves, bulbs, and flowers of some plants are poisonous and can cause
serious problems and even death. Hopefully, this list will spare some animals
discomfort or even possible death. Many plants and flowers have a sweet scent
and that causes dogs to think they are edible.

These lists are just a guideline, so if your pet eats something unusual, you
need to call your vet. I am an animal lover that has completed a lot of
research, but I am not an expert.

I have many of the flowers on the list, and I’m not willing to give up my
perennial flower beds. My solution has been to move the most dangerous plants
to an area away from the pets and keep an eye on them when they play in the
yard. Of course, I can’t always do this every minute, and neither can you.

How to Tell If Your Dog Has Eaten Something Poisonous

You’ll usually be able to tell if they have been eating something because
they’ll still have a little residue in their mouth. If your dog is salivating
heavily or appears ill, make him open his mouth. You may see a piece of the
plant in there. If not, check your plants, and you should be able to tell if
he has been eating any. Call your vet immediately if he/she has consumed
anything dangerous.

Plants That Cause Dermatitis

• Boston Ivy: All parts of the plant will cause a swollen or sore tongue, lips, and mouth.
• Cactus: These can cause a rash or sores from the pricks they get from the spiky leaves. The sores or rash can become infected.
• Chrysanthemums: These will cause the dog to get a rash either on his skin or mouth.
• Poison Ivy: Most of us can identify poison ivy with its three leaves. Even if your dog isn’t allergic to this plant, if he has gotten it on his coat, you can have the oils can rub on you. If you are allergic, you can get poison ivy.
• Poison Oak: Poison oak is much like poison ivy, and you can get it just by petting your dog if he has been in some. If he is allergic, he’ll break out from it.

Abby was our Springer Spaniel. Sorry to say, she has passed over to the
Rainbow Ridge.

1 / 7

Plants That Cause Gastric Problems

Even though these plants are listed as just causing gastric problems, treat
this seriously. A dog can become dehydrated and need immediate medical care.
Dehydration can not only be serious, but in some cases, it can cause death.
Watch your pet closely.

• American Holly: The berries will cause nausea and vomiting
• American Mistletoe: The berries will cause problems.
• Southern Yew: Be sure you have properly identified this plant because some yews are toxic. This shrub is just mildly toxic. Both the seeds and leaves will cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Plants That Are Toxic A–Z

These are the most common plants; not all plants can be listed here.

• Angel Wings: The leaves and stems are poisonous. This plant is just considered mildly toxic, but I wouldn’t take any chances. The dog will have pain and an irritated mouth, dermatitis, and swelling.
• Autumn Crocus: If you know that your dog has ingested the bulb or plant, this is serious. This plant can cause your pet to go into shock, cause renal damage, nausea and vomiting, pain in the mouth, throat, and abdomen, and cause diarrhea. Get the animal emergency medical help as soon as possible.
• Apricot: Stems, leaves, and seeds are toxic. Don’t allow the dog to eat the fruit because they may accidentally swallow a pit this way. Your pet may go into shock, and the animal should be taken immediately for medical care.
• Azaleas: Azaleas are shrubs that are used to beautify your landscaping. They bloom in early spring and are beautiful, but they are in the rhododendron family. If the dog eats just a couple of leaves, it can cause a stomach ache, excessive drooling, abnormal heartbeat, and paralysis in the legs. Call your vet immediately if you think your dog has eaten any leaves because it can occasionally cause coma and death.
• Bleeding Heart: Also called Dutchman’s Breeches or Squirrel Corn. All parts of the plant are poisonous. This plant contains alkaloids, and if your dog consumes it, you need to seek medical care immediately.
• Caladium: All parts of the plant are poisonous. The dog will need to be taken to the vet immediately. This plant is usually grown from a bulb and in northern areas is replanted every year. I would not plant these where pets will be.
• Castor Beans: All parts of these plants should be avoided because it is highly toxic. Some people plant these in their yards to get rid of moles. I advise you not to have them in your yard at all if you have pets.

Symptoms that your dog has ingested these are bloody diarrhea, nausea,
dehydration, excessive thirst, muscle twitching, weakness, convulsions, and
coma. Even if the dog doesn’t display all of these symptoms, get your dog to
the vet as soon as possible.

• Choke Cherry: The leaves, seeds (pits), stems, and bark are all considered very toxic. Seek professional help immediately.
• Clematis: The stems and leaves of this vine are toxic to dogs. Clematis comes in many different colors. Seek professional help.
• Daffodils: Bulbs are toxic. Death can happen within a few hours. This is an emergency. Don’t plant daffodils in any area where your dog will be unattended.
• Delphinium: This plant is also known as Larkspur. All parts of the plant are toxic.
• Elderberry: The berries are edible when ripe, but the rest of the plant should not be eaten. Dogs rarely eat this plant, but you should still be aware that it can be toxic.
• English Ivy: The leaves and berries are both considered very toxic. Seek help immediately.
• Foxglove: The flower’s leaves and seeds are poisonous to both humans and animals. If your dog ate any of these, this is an emergency.
• Heliotrope: The plant looks nice in a pot on your patio, but beware if you have a dog. Even tiny bites can cause liver damage. If the dog continues to take little nips of it, it can cause death.
• Hydrangea: The leaves and buds will both cause irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract. The dog will have a bloody stool.
• Iris: The rhizomes and rootstock are poisonous. Since the rhizomes grow above the ground, they are easy to access. Dogs don’t usually eat these, but if they do, you need to call the vet.
• Lantana: The immature green berries can cause severe problems, which include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and weakness.
• Lily of the Valley: All parts of the plant are considered extremely poisonous. Seek medical help immediately.
• Monkshood: This plant is also known as Aconite and Wolfsbane. All parts of the plant are extremely poisonous. At one time, it was used in Europe to kill wolves and mad dogs. If you have this plant, pull it out immediately. If it is too late and your dog has already eaten the plant, seek medical help immediately.
• Morning Glory: The seeds are toxic. This can be severe. Call the vet if your dog has eaten any. It will cause diarrhea and nausea, urination will be increased and can cause your dog to have hallucinations.
• Mushrooms: If you see these growing in the yard, remove them as soon as possible. Some poison mushrooms can kill your dog. If your dog does consume one, get them to the vet immediately. Some mushrooms aren’t as toxic as others, and some are safe to eat, but don’t take a chance unless you are an expert at identifying them. If possible, take a sample with you so the vet knows what they are dealing with.

Symptoms after eating a mushroom are abdominal pain, excessive drooling,
diarrhea, vomiting, possible convulsions, and possibly coma.

• Oleander: The entire plant is toxic and can cause death. Get medical care immediately.
• Onions and Garlic: If you’ve got these growing in the garden, keep the dogs away. These two plants contain thiosulfate. Onions are more dangerous than garlic. Both can cause a type of anemia in dogs where the red blood cells actually burst. If they are eaten in large enough amounts, this can cause liver damage, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, and discolored urine. Do not feed dogs with leftovers containing onions or garlic either.

If your dog ingested any of these in a large quantity or has any of these
symptoms, a trip to the vet is a must. Symptoms don’t usually occur for a
couple of days.

We used to feed our dogs leftover pizza and spaghetti, but no longer. Garlic
isn’t as toxic as onions, and large amounts of it need to be eaten to cause
symptoms. Keep your dog away from both.

• Potato Plant: The entire plant is toxic. These may cause death. This is an emergency.
• Rhododendron: The flowers and leaves cause gastric problems. These can cause cardiac and liver problems, so you need to call a vet.
• Rhubarb: The stems are edible, but the leaves are toxic. Seek medical help immediately.
• Sta r of Bethlehem: This is an early spring blooming flower that grows from a bulb. The plant can be identified by its tiny blooms that are white and star-shaped.
• Tomatoes: The entire plant is so toxic that it can be fatal for the dog. Most dogs won’t eat a tomato plant because they don’t like the smell. If your dog does consume one, seek help immediately.

Even the fruit of tomatoes can be toxic to dogs if they eat enough. Note, only
if they eat enough. I’ve gotten a lot of feedback on this one. Yes, my dogs
have eaten leftover spaghetti and sauce and haven’t gotten sick. You shouldn’t
feed your dogs leftovers of anything containing tomatoes, though. It isn’t
good for them, and if they eat enough, yes, it can be toxic.

• Tulips: Tulips are considered just mildly toxic. The bulb is the toxic part, and people in Holland ate these at one time. They will cause diarrhea, depression, lack of appetite, and heavy salivation.
• Yellow Oleander: The entire plant is toxic and can be fatal. Seek medical help immediately.
• Yew: Because of the rough surface yews have, it would be unusual for your dog to eat it. If the dog does, though, it can be fatal. Get help immediately.

Don’t Grow the Plants That May Cause Death

I am keeping the plants that may cause serious problems out of my yard. The
flowers and shrubs just aren’t worth taking a chance on. Remove the plants
immediately, and either plant in an area where your dogs won’t be tempted or
dispose of them.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It
is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription,
or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional.
Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a
veterinarian immediately.

Scroll to Continue

Read More From Pethelpful

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Tips for Home Care for Your Vomiting Cat When You Cannot Visit the Vet

The Top 10 Fastest Dog Breeds

Questions & Answers

Question: Are Forever Susan lily bulbs toxic for dogs?

Answer: Forever Susan lilies are Asiatics and are beautiful. Lilies are
poisonous for cats, but may just cause indigestion for dogs.

Question: Can nibbling on a gardina kill a dog?

Answer: If it is a small dog, it might. Any other dog it might just give
them a tummy ache. Nibbling means they aren’t consuming a lot at a time. If
they consume a large amount, a trip to the vet is in order.

Question: Are petunias poisonous?

Answer: No. Petunias are not poisonous to dogs.

© 2011 Barbara Badder

Comments

Becky on June 17, 2020:

Can the Rebekah plant be poisonous to dogs ?

Christensen on November 05, 2019:

What some dog owners may not know is that there are some plants and flowers
that are dangerous to our furry family members. It is better to do some
research about our garden and plants to prevent dogs from getting poisoned.
Also, train your dogs not to eat anything else. In the worst case, call your
vet once your dog got poisoned.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on September 29, 2014:

Nancy, Many of these plants dogs will smell them and not touch them. There is
the odd plant that smells edible to them that they do. My crazy dog still
tries to eat daylilies. It seems he’d remember how sick they made him. Thanks
for commenting.

Nancy Carol Brown Hardin from Las Vegas, NV on September 28, 2014:

Barbara, thank you for this. Some of these plants you’ve listed I knew about,
but there’s a lot of them I didn’t. I no longer have a dog, but my grown kids
do and they also have yards and flowers. I will be sure to send them this
link. Thanks again.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on July 26, 2014:

donanna, Thanks for adding that. I’m not familiar with the plant.

donanna on July 26, 2014:

Apple of Peru, also known as lantern plant, is 100% posionous to all animals
and humans. It has beautiful blue/white flowers that turn into paper lanterns
full of seeds.

Cynthia Zirkwitz from Vancouver Island, Canada on June 26, 2014:

I have a few too many daylily plants as well, and I have had to steer Zoe away
from them (I too believe she thought they were grass). The weird thing is that
she actually did have a debilitating situation last year where it seemed that
she had paralyzed her hind quarters… she couldn’t walk. We took her to the
Vet and he “fixed her up” but we didn’t really have an adequate answer to our
questions about what happened. She tends to sample bits of herbery as we go
for our walks… so we will ‘up’ our vigilance. Thanks again for the article!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on June 26, 2014:

techygran, I wouldn’t worry about all of them, because the only one my dog
seems interested in our yard are the daylily leaves. Maybe he thinks they are
grass and he eats grass. The problem is that I have around 150 daylilies. I
used to collect the different varieties and even hybridized some myself. An
option is to use that spray from the pet store that keeps pets away from
plants.

Cynthia Zirkwitz from Vancouver Island, Canada on June 25, 2014:

Thank you for this very comprehensive (and terrifying) list… I am going to
have to do a thorough inventory of my yard and gardens because I have most of
the most pet-noxious plants growing in my yard, and we have a ‘family member’
who could be affected by nibbling on any number of them. I’m sharing this–
great work!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on January 19, 2014:

erorantes, Thanks for viewing and thanks for the compliment.

Ana Maria Orantes from Miami Florida on January 18, 2014:

Thank you for your article on the plants that are bad for the dogs. You did a
good job on your hub.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on May 04, 2013:

mypuglovestomatoes, My dogs have had things with tomatoes in them and never
got sick either. It says in large quantities though. If they eat the plant
itself, they could be in trouble though.

mypugslovetomatoes on May 04, 2013:

My pugs love tomatoes and have eaten them almost every day for as long as they
have been alive, 15 & 16 years and counting. I keep my plants out of their
reach or I would never get any tomatoes myself! As for the scent of the
plants? My pugs circle tomato plants like sharks seeking blood. No joke.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on February 07, 2013:

Temeguele, I’m sorry about your dog. Thanks for commenting.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on February 07, 2013:

newudedcarssacram, Thanks for reading and commenting. You are right about us
watching out for them.

Temeguele on February 07, 2013:

Great hub and i was wondering since 03 years ago why did my most liked
suddingly died .

Thanks for the great info.

newusedcarssacram from Sacramento, CA, U.S.A on February 07, 2013:

Dogs wouldn’t know which plants are toxic for them, so we have to be careful
instead. Thanks for the detailed information. It is very helpful.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on February 07, 2013:

Jmillis2006, Thanks for reading the hub and commenting.

Jmillis2006 from North Carolina on February 06, 2013:

Great hub, I had no clue about some of these plants being toxic to dogs.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on January 26, 2013:

Bill, Thanks for reading the hub and commenting. I’m happy you found it
helpful.

billd01603 from Worcester on January 25, 2013:

Thank Barbara. I have a yellow lab that will eat anything. Very informative
Hub. Voted up and useful. I’m going to mark this one in my favorites so I can
refer to it in the future

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on January 25, 2013:

loveofnight, Thanks for reading the hub. Most of these plants, your dog won’t
be interested in, but there are a few that your dog will give a try. Best of
luck.

Loveofnight Anderson from Baltimore, Maryland on January 25, 2013:

WOW…..I had no idea that there were so many toxic plants in my very own back
yard. It rather fills in blanks about some health episodes that I had with my
dog/daughter Foxy.Thanks so much for such an informative hub.Be well

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on January 22, 2013:

muske, Thanks for reading and I’m happy I could help.

muske on January 21, 2013:

thank you also for all that important information. I have 2 dogs and I often
dogsit my son’s dog when he travels oversees, his dog is a sharpee and
extremely sensitive to all sort of things. But this list is very helpful and I
will surely book mark this.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on January 17, 2013:

Judy, All I can say is you need to get rid of those trees or put some fencing
around them so he can’t get near them. Maybe if you used the dog repellent
spray that you can buy at most garden centers. It comes in an aerosol can and
costs about $8-$9.

Judy on January 17, 2013:

My Chihuahua eats some kind of tree berries. He poops the berries out whole,
but he usually has loose stools when he does. The stench is awful, not to
mention he waits to get inside to poop. Any suggestions. I’d love to cut the
trees down, but it’s too expensive.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on December 13, 2012:

iguidenetwork, Thanks for reading and commenting on the hub. The tomatoes and
potatoes are something my dogs don’t show any interest in. Thank goodness.

iguidenetwork from Austin, TX on December 13, 2012:

Potatoes and tomatoes are both relatives of nightshade — and all of them are
really toxic. Good thing you have pictures so that I could really remember
what they look like, so I won’t let my pets near those plants. Thanks for
informing. Voted up and shared.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on September 21, 2012:

midget38, It is important information to know. Thanks for commenting and
thanks for the compliment.

Michelle Liew from Singapore on September 21, 2012:

I will not let my dogs near these, for sure!! Exciting information. Thanks for
an excellent write!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on September 13, 2012:

billybuc, Thanks for reading. It is important info to know if you have a dog,
like I see in the photo you do. I have half the plants listed, but the dogs
stay away from most of them and the worst ones, I don’t have in their fenced
in area.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on September 13, 2012:

I’m certain I read this before but I don’t see my comment. A sure sign of old
age creeping upon me. Sigh! Great hub and very interesting; I didn’t know any
of this….but now I do and thank you!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on August 27, 2012:

doc, Not the tomatoes! It is all parts of the plant. Sorry you misunderstood.

doc on August 27, 2012:

Tomatoes? Toxic? That’s a laugh. My labs rob me of my tomatoes for 3 solid
months every summer. Their faces are green from foraging in the tomato bushes
daily. Sometimes they don’t even wait until they ar red. They just eat them
regardless. Tomatoe cages? worthless! Chicken wire? helpful, but in the long
run they find the weakest point and take advantage. If I were not so pissed
off, it would be hilarious.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on July 03, 2012:

stepnek, Puppies can be like that. My sister’s new pup tried to eat a ceramic
pot that she had flowers in. I’m happy you can use the information. Thanks for
reading and commenting.

stepnek from Ontario, Canada on July 03, 2012:

We have a ten week old very active Jack Russel puppy who thinks that
everything there is to be eaten. Fortunately our garden is only slightly
cultivated and I have fenced off the plants as I just don’t want her
destroying them. It didn’t occur to me that some might actually be toxic.

Your list was very useful to read and reference and has certainly made be
think about being even more cautious with our new puppy. A good hub. Thank
you.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on July 03, 2012:

mrpooper, I didn’t know myself, until my dog ate something that is shouldn’t
have. Then I started doing the research. Thanks for reading and sharing.

mrpooper on July 03, 2012:

I imagine a lot of pet owners aren’t aware of this. Thanks for sharing. I’m
forwarding this to every pet owner I know.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on July 02, 2012:

amir, Thanks for reading the hub and commenting.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on July 02, 2012:

Vegas Elias, My mother always said that about the tomato plants. Isn’t that
funny. Tomatoes plants put off a scent that I don’t think the dogs would want
to eat them anyways. Thanks for commenting.

amir saeed on July 01, 2012:

Great job…. very helpful and did help thanks barbara ,so many confusions now
has been resolved abt my dogs health. Good work

Vegas Elias from Mumbai on July 01, 2012:

A very useful hub indeed. You have given a comprehensive list of plants toxic
to dogs. I am surprised to learn that potato and tomato plants are also toxic;
though I heard my mother say so about the potato plant many years back.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on July 01, 2012:

Ask Ashley, I’m happy that I could help. Thanks for reading the hub.

Ask Ashley from California on July 01, 2012:

What a helpful hub! Before I plant anything new in my yard, I always research
the plants for animal safety, but this will be a big time saver for me now.
Thank you for the thorough research. Bookmarked and voted up!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on July 01, 2012:

Green Dog VT, I’m happy I could help. Most of these, your dog won’t touch. Our
dog did it when we put him on a much needed diet. That’s all I can figure out
is why he’d eat something like that. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Green Dog VT from chester,vt on July 01, 2012:

Thanks I would have never even thought of most of these plants you may have
saved my dogs life.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on June 30, 2012:

GaelicQueen, I’m sorry to hear about your dog. Why they eat some of the things
they do makes me wonder. Thanks for commenting.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on June 30, 2012:

Debby, We quit letting our dogs eat things with onions and garlic. Maybe we
can let them have a bite of pizza again. Just one of my dogs tries to eat
plants he shouldn’t be. The other won’t touch them. Thanks for commenting.

GaelicQueen on June 30, 2012:

Thank you for the insightful article. My terrier tried to make a salad bar out
of my potted Lantana plant. It has made her liver toxic and vet is treating
her with special G.I. lowfat diet and liver support soft chews.

Debby Bruck on June 30, 2012:

Dear Barbara ~ I have a feeling most dogs will stay clear of plants that would
upset their system or be toxic to them out of instinct. I wrote a Hubpages
about toxic foods to pets, which includes garlic, onion and tomato. But, truth
be told, only some animals are highly sensitive to these foods. Some pets
actually relish them. Each to his or her own likes and sensitivities. I asked
this question to Dr Christina Chambreau, DVM during the Pet Health Series we
did together on BlogTalkRadio this year. Blessings, Debby

P.S. Congratulations on the AWARD WINNING HUB!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on June 30, 2012:

rebecca, Thanks for reading the hub. The good news is that they don’t try to
eat all of them, but accidents do happen. Thanks for commenting.

Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, USA on June 30, 2012:

Poor Beau. Thanks so much for making us aware of toxic plants and pets. I knew
about a few but nothing as extensive as this. Surprisingly long list!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on June 25, 2012:

MasterPlanter, I haven’t found any, but you’ve given me something to research.
Thanks for reading.

MasterPlanter on June 25, 2012:

Are there any plants that dogs dislike the smell of but won’t be fatal to them
or other household pets like cats? It seems like it would be an easy and
humane way to keep dogs away from certain areas just by planting certain
plants there.

Magicdust Staff from Sydney, Australia on December 08, 2011:

Very comprehensive guide here, so many traps for the unwary! Well done on
putting this resource together.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on December 08, 2011:

Nifwlseirff, Thanks for visiting the hub and giving the info about peace
lilies. I think they are much the same as Asiatic lilies.

Moonlake, I didn’t include houseplants. I need to write another hub about
those. Thanks for the extra information. It makes you wonder why dogs eat some
of these things.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on December 08, 2011:

Uniquearticlesbuz, anjali, imkd, Thanks for visiting the hub and commenting.
I’m happy you found the list helpful.

dingy skipper, princesswithapen, Thanks for sharing and visiting the hub. I’m
happy that it can help someone.

Pamela, Thanks for commenting and the compliment about my dog. I’m sorry to
say that Abby as passed away. We now have a Brittany spaniel.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on December 07, 2011:

Thank you for a very useful list of plants that are dangerous for dogs. This
is a great hub to make people think about what they have in their garden if
they have a dog in their family. Congratulations for getting the Hub of the
Day accolade!

Becky Katz from Hereford, AZ on December 07, 2011:

Congratulations on being chosen hub of the day. Don’t forget the lowly
Diffenbachia, also known as mother-in-laws tongue. It will paralyze the vocal
chords in animals and pets. It can also cause death.

My dogs never eat the plants except one would dig up the carrots and eat them.
They do not damage. The cat loves my house plants though. I have to keep them
in the room that she is not allowed in. The gerbils live there too. She has
tried to eat them also.

Leah Lefler from Western New York on December 07, 2011:

This is a great hub! It will be good to check our garden for toxic plants this
coming spring – we have a Golden Retriever puppy and I don’t want him to eat
anything toxic! I once read that cocoa mulch was toxic to dogs, so we didn’t
put it down this last summer!

Raj Lally Batala from Chicago ,USA on December 07, 2011:

Congratulations on being chosen Hub of the day !! lot of good information !

Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, USA on December 07, 2011:

What a great hub, and you probably saved more than one heart broken dog owner.
I will definitely refer back to this.

Sinea Pies from Northeastern United States on December 07, 2011:

Barbara Kay, my mom loved Lily of the Valley but I remember her warning my
brother and myself to never, ever touch it. That it was poisonous. So, I guess
humans need to stay away, too. Great Hub.

Cholee Clay from Wisconsin on December 07, 2011:

Very informative hub! I’ve had multiple dogs growing up and I must say none of
them have tried to eat from my dad’s extensive and ever expanding flower
garden. They seem more interested in animals and grass than anything. But then
again most animals have better instincts than humans and know what they can
and cannot eat. For example deer know that daffodils are poisonous and will
not go near them.

Beau may have been eating grass to clean his system. Dogs tend to do that when
they don’t feel the best, however it does make them throw up.

FloraBreenRobison on December 07, 2011:

Congratulations on being chosen Hub of the day. Most of these are toxic to
cats too.

Liz Elias from Oakley, CA on December 07, 2011:

Great job! Congratulations on Hub of the Day–well deserved!

There certainly are many, many plants that can cause problems for our pets.
Cats are usually pickier about what they eat..but years back, I did have a cat
that ended for me any thought of having houseplants, as anything in a
plantpot, he thought was salad; and if I put it where the cat couldn’t reach,
I’d forget to water it, and the plant died anyhow. Better the plant than the
cat, and I prefer my cats.

We no longer have dogs because of physical limitations, but I always find the
garlic & onions caution puzzling, because I recall a tale my dad told me when
I was young. His sister had a Boston Terrier that was a virtual garbage can–
and one day, he went out in the yard, dug up and ate ALL of the garlic. No ill
effects at all–except for the humans contending with a dog who then wanted to
bestow lots of love & kisses. Dog breath–ick–garlic dog breath–almost
deadly! 😉

Voted up, useful and interesting.

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on December 07, 2011:

Barbara Kay: Congratulation on Hub of the Day…This information definitely
needs to be in the hands of all of those who have dogs…I do not have one
now…long story…but I have 4 cats, all outside so I am concerned about
toxic plants for them as well.

I will share this hub with my friends and family who have dogs that are not
dogs they are members of their family as are my kitties.

arusho from University Place, Wa. on December 07, 2011:

Oh, one more thing. Make sure you show your dog which things are appropriate
to play with. That way when they start chewing a plant, you must watch them,
tell them no and give them a chew toy. They will never learn unless you do
this repeatedly until they get it.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on December 07, 2011:

Thank you to everyone for commenting on the hub. I didn’t include houseplants
on this list, but it sounds like I should.

I’d answer each comment individually, but there are so many I’m a bit
overwhelmed. I’m so happy to get the hub of the day.

arusho on December 07, 2011:

Keep kids and adults away from these plants, too. I would also recommend
directing your dogs attention to a chew toy or some other safe play activity
if they are showing interest in the plants. My dog only chews the long grass
in our backyard, which doesn’t bother her, she just likes grass. I would also
recommend that puppies or dogs should never be left unattended in the backyard
as that can lead to problems: such as, digging, barking, boredom, eating
things (plants, rocks), separation anxiety. Dogs are social and want to be
with you, you must show them which things are play toys and which things are
not (such as toxic plants). Have a kennel in your backyard to keep them
contained and practice putting them in it every day for a little bit until
they are used to being in the kennel longer.

RTalloni on December 07, 2011:

Thanks for sharing this thorough list. Congrats on Hub of the day for an
important hub!

Voted up.

Cynthia B Turner from Georgia on December 07, 2011:

This was extremely helpful. I had no idea about onions and garlic. That nixes
any leftovers at my house. Even though I’m new to having a dog, some of the
plants mentioned I was aware of, others were a revelation. I, too, will
bookmark this for future reference. Thanks for the research and for sharing
with us.

Mary Hyatt from Florida on December 07, 2011:

Congrats on Hub of the Day. As a dog lover, I value anything about my pet’s
health. I did’t see any mention of the Poinsettia plant. I was told it was
toxic to dogs. I got a beautiful one for Christmas, but I won’t put it in the
house for fear “Baby” will get into it. People will be getting these plants
for Christmas, and they should check out if that is correct info. Good Hub. I
voted it UP, etc.

Kristin Trapp from Illinois on December 07, 2011:

This is an excellent resource that I have bookmarked. Right now our dog can
only go out on a leash with us, but if the time comes when we fence in the
yard I want to be sure to avoid any plants that can make her sick. Thanks for
sharing and congratulations on hub of the day.

mljdgulley354 on December 07, 2011:

Congratulations on Hub of the Day. My sister has a Boxer that will eat
anything. I’m going to share this with her.

moonlake from America on December 07, 2011:

I would add philodendron to the list. Our dog ate one of our house plants one
time and we had to rush her to the vet. He gave her something to make her
vomit. Lily of the Valley is also toxic to dogs. We have them growing in our
yard, we didn’t plant them and I have pulled them out but they keep coming.
Their right in a spot where the dogs like to run after chippers.

Congratulation on hub of the day. Great hub.

Kymberly Fergusson from Germany on December 07, 2011:

Peace lillies are common indoor houseplants, and are part of the spathiphyllum
genus, which is toxic to both animals and humans when eaten.

( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spathiphyllum )

Thanks for an important and informative hub!

imkd on December 07, 2011:

glad to read you hub. i always live my dog but didn’t consider these things.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on December 07, 2011:

First, your dog is absolutely adorable. This is a very informative hub that I
will bookmark for future reference. I learned many things I didn’t know
before, so thank you for being so thorough.

princesswithapen on December 07, 2011:

Barbara

This is an extensive list, nicely done! Its amazing to see how even some
common plants are poisonous to pooches. I remember reading a similar list for
cats made by a fellow hubber that I had bookmarked a few months back. I am
going to bookmark this list too and pass it around to fellow dog lovers.

Princesswithapen

uniquearticlesbuz from USA on December 07, 2011:

Thanks for sharing I don’t have any idea about these plants which are very
dangerous for dogs. Thanks to aware me about this, now I can protect my
Pets…

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on October 31, 2011:

doodlebugs, Thanks for commenting. Most dogs will leave these things alone,
but then you get a dog like our Beau and don’t ask me why he’ll eat anything.
We had him on a diet, because he’s chunky. Maybe he thought he was starving??
This is good knowledge to have though.

Nolen Hart from Southwest on October 30, 2011:

Wow, lantanas? I had no idea. I have them planted all over the place but so
far the dogs have left them alone. Good info to know though, since they like
to chew on sticks. I suppose that the twigs and sticks from dead lantanas
could be poisonous too.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on October 30, 2011:

Better Yourself, When I first researched I was shocked. I have a Brittany that
thinks everything is edible and we have plants all over our yard. I’m going to
do some moving around next year, since we have a fenced in area for him.

Better Yourself from North Carolina on October 30, 2011:

Wow – didn’t realize so many plants were dangerous to my dogs. Thanks for
sharing – Great hub!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on October 10, 2011:

Jangaplanet, My dog is allergic to grass too, but it doesn’t seem to bother
him unless it is wet.

Many of these plants are dangerous for cats too, but cats have an entirely
different list of plants that will bother them. I was surprised by this. I
should probably do an article on cats too.

Jplanet on October 10, 2011:

Hi Barbara, Useful and interesting information. I was completely oblivious
that certain plants were toxic for dogs. Luckily for me I do not have any
sitting around the house nor in the yard. Although my dog did get a rash once
and the vet told me it was the caused by the wet grass while playing outside.
Do these plants affect only dogs or other house pets as well?

Great hub, vote up and interesting!

jangaplanet~

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on September 08, 2011:

diseasessymptoms, I’d love to have 6 dogs, but I’m afraid there would be times
our household would be chaos since we allow them in the house. We now have
two, but have adult children that visit often. I hope this hub saves some dogs
some problems or even death.

Thanks for commenting.

diseasessymptoms from Philippines on September 08, 2011:

Hi Barbara, these are really new information for me. I’ll be careful next time
I plant a seed in our backyard. We have many adapted pets. I think we have 6
adapted dogs. I wouldn’t want any of them be poisoned by those plants you
mentioned. Thanks again.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on September 08, 2011:

Cardia, I was shocked that our dog Beau got so sick from the daylilies leaves.
After that I decided to do some research. I was shocked that so many plants
could actually kill our dogs.

Thanks for reading.

Carolee Samuda from Jamaica on September 08, 2011:

Barbara, I had no idea that some of these plants were toxic for our dogs.
Thanks for sharing!

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on September 08, 2011:

homesteadbound, I didn’t know ham was bad for them. Thanks for the
information.

vocalcoach, I think marigolds are alright. At least I didn’t find that there
was anything wrong with them. Dogs usually don’t like the smell of tomatoes
and onions. They usually don’t like daylilies either though and Beau ate them
anyways. Thanks for commenting.

munirahmadmughal, Yes a fence around the area would help. Thanks for visiting.

feelhungry, Too bad there isn’t a positive answer on this one.

feelhungry on September 08, 2011:

Barbara, I did some research previously as well. And, I also got mixed
opinions. Yes. I would give my dogs some small quantities. He really loves the
smell of the Durian though.

munirahmadmughal from Lahore, Pakistan. on September 08, 2011:

Highly informative hub with a sense of spreading knowledge to avoid cruelty to
animals in innocent manners. As human beings we must behave in a manner which
does not cause hurt to any other creation. To grow the plants is everybody’s
right but where such growth is toxic or fatal a degree of care is there as a
social demand. A fence around such plantation may reduce such danger.

Audrey Hunt from Pahrump NV on September 07, 2011:

OMG – I had no idea that these plants were toxic to dogs. I have tomatoes
growing and acouple of onion plants. I also have marigolds – are they alright?
So very very grateful to you for this information. A huge thank you and voted
up and across the board, except for funny. Nothing funny about poisoning our
doggies. And good luck on the hub challenge!

Cindy Murdoch from Texas on September 07, 2011:

Wow. That’s quite a list of plants. I have several of them, fortunately my
dogs don’t eat them. Along the same lines, I used to work with a guy who feed
his dog ham. He said it killed him. He said the vet said that some purebreeds
have a problem with ham. The trichonosis that is in the ham, attacked its
intestines and caused internal bleeeding and killed the dog. So sad. Thanks
for such a comprehensive list.

Barbara Badder (author) from USA on September 07, 2011:

Dirt Farmer,Sorry to say, but some plants are toxic to cats that aren’t to
dogs and vice versa. Daylilies are a good example. They only upset a dog’s
stomach, but are considered toxic to cats. One of these days I’ll get around
to writing a list of plants toxic to cats.

lundmusik from Tucson AZ on September 07, 2011:

wow,, this is so great,, i think every dog owner should have this info…
tremendous,, i’m bookmarking it– i’m following you and look forward to other
thoughts you might have about animals

Jill Spencer from United States on September 07, 2011:

What helpful hub! Fortunately our dog doesn’t eat plants (he just steps on
them), but my cat never met a plant he didn’t want to eat.