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Who doesn’t like some pretty flowers, shady trees and decorative shrubs? Not many people, that’s for sure. And even if you don’t have a garden, chances are good you still like to have some plants in the house. They brighten things up and give an air of freshness, so where’s the harm? There could be a great deal of harm, actually, if you have pets. Some of the prettiest and most common garden and house plants and flowers are toxic to dogs and cats (and other pets, including horses, rabbits, and hamsters).

british-shorthair-with-flowersIt’s important to note that certain parts of plants can be poisonous, for example, leaves, roots or bulbs, so you could potentially have flowers hanging in pots on your patio, but it would be dangerous for your cats and dogs to have the plants growing in your garden. Bear in mind that toxic reactions don’t just occur when plants are ingested; they can also occur when pets just come into contact with poisonous plants.

The best way to keep your dogs and cats safe is not to grow or keep any poisonous plants or flowers at all, and to learn which herbs, flowers, shrubs and trees are non-toxic and pet-friendly. To help you do just that, we’ve got a few lists for you, including a list of poisonous plants and flowers, a list of poisonous herbs, and a list of safe plants and herbs for your dogs and cats.

Non-toxic (safe) garden plants and flowers for pets

  • Calendula
  • Petunia
  • Snapdragons
  • Cosmos
  • Roses
  • Catnip
  • Primrose
  • Nasturtium
  • Spider flower
  • Butterfly flower
  • Coral bells
  • Goat’s beard
  • Columbine
  • Violet
  • Impatiens
  • Cornflower
  • Moon Orchid
  • Petunias
  • Zinnias

Cat-friendly and Dog-friendly herbs

Basil leaves non-toxic

  • Basil
  • Mint
  • German chamomile (English chamomile is toxic to cats)
  • Coriander or cilantro
  • Dill
  • Parsley (rabbits love it)

Toxic vegetables for pets

  • Garlic – can cause anemia
  • Chives – can cause anemia
  • Onions – can cause anemia
  • Potato (the leaves and green skin)
  • Mushrooms – can cause liver failure

Toxic fruit for pets

In most cases, fruit is safe for pets, but the seeds and skin are not. So watch out for the seeds and pits of apples, plums, cherries, apricots and peaches. The green part of tomatoes is also poisonous and cause loss of appetite, severe gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, drowsiness, confusion, behavioral changes, and weakness.

Toxic garden plants for cats and dogs

  • Amaryllis – bulbs are the most poisonous part of the plant and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and abdominal pain, depression, and anorexia
  • Autumn crocus – can cause vomiting, diarrhea, shock, organ damage, and suppress bone marrow
  • Daffodil – the bulbs are the most poisonous part of the plant and can cause severe gastrointestinal disorders, convulsions, dermatitis, tremors, low blood pressure, and cardiac arrhythmia
  • Gladiolas – the bulb is the most poisonous part of the plant and can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and depression
  • Iris – can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and depression
  • Lily of the Valley – highly toxic to pets and can cause death. If not fatal, it can cause vomiting, loss of muscle control, and cardiac arrhythmia
  • Narcissus – the bulbs are the most poisonous part of the plant and can cause severe gastrointestinal disorders, dermatitis, convulsions, tremors, low blood pressure, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, and cardiac arrhythmia
  • tulipsTulip – the bulbs are the most toxic to pets and can cause gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, depression, and cardiac arrhythmia
  • Ferns (most types) – highly posionous. Contact with skin can cause dermatitis and ingestion of berries can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
  • Hydrangea – can cause vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, and hyperthermia
  • Morning Glory – can cause diarrhea, agitation, tremors, disorientation, and hallucinations
  • Foxglove – highly toxic and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac failure, and death
  • Lilies (most types) – highly poisonous to cats but non-toxic for dogs. Ingestion can cause irritation to the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, shock, kidney and liver damage, and suppress bone marrow
  • Cycads – highly toxic and deadly to cats and dogs. Cycada shrubs can cause vomiting, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, jaundice, liver damage, and death
  • Heavenly bamboo – highly poisouns and can cause vomiting diarrhea, respiratory congestion, respiratory failure, seizures, coma, and death
  • Holly – can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and depression
  • Oleander – highly poisonous to pets and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hypothermia, heart problems, and death
  • Rhododendron – a very common shrub and highly poisonous to dogs and cats. The leaves of Rhododendron shrubs are especially poisonous and can cause gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, loss of appetite, low blood pressure, central nervous system depression, heart failure, loss of coordination, coma, and death
  • Sago palm – highly toxic, especially the plant’s seeds, and can cause vomiting, jaundice, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, liver failure, and death
  • Yucca – can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and depression
  • Mistletoe – highly posionous and can cause gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular collapse, respiratory problems, and behavior changes
  • Aloe vera – especially toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, tremors, and depression
  • Baby’s breath – can cause vomiting and diarrhea
  • Begonia – the tubers (bulbs) are the most posionous part of the plant and can cause irritation to the mouth and vomiting
  • Carnations – not highly toxic but can cause gastrointestinal distress and dermatitis
  • Chrysanthemum – not highly posionous unless large quantities are ingested. Ingestion can cause abdominal discomfort, depression, lack of coordination, diarrhea, vomiting and dermatitis
  • Cyclamen – the most toxic part of the plant is the root and ingestion can cause gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, and in some cases it can be fatal
  • Milkweed – great for monarch butterflies but highly posionous to dogs and cats. Milkweed can cause vomiting, depression, weakness, anorexia, diarrhea, and in severe cases, seizures, breathing problems, weak pulse, kidney or liver failure, coma, and death
  • Poinsettia – not highly toxic but can cause oral and gastric irritation and vomiting
  • Pothos – not highly toxic but can cause oral irritation and burning, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting
  • Agapanthus – can cause vomiting and oral irritation and burning
  • Aster – can cause diarrhea and vomiting
  • Fresia – not highly toxic but can cause vomiting
  • Hyacinth – can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors
  • Peony – can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and depression
  • Crocus – can cause breathing problems, and liver and kidney failure
  • Juniper – can cause kidney failure
  • Azalea – highly posionous . In small amounts it can cause breathing problems and kidney failure and in large amounts it can cause convulsions and death
  • Delphinium – highly posionous and can cause convulsions and death
  • Larkspur – highly posionous and can cause convulsions and death

Poisonous trees for dogs and cats

Avocados can be toxic

  • Avocado – can cause vomiting, diarrhea, breathing problems, congestion, fluid around the heart, and death. Avocado seeds are especially toxic.
  • Buddhist pine – a popular bonsai tree that can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea
  • Yew – barks, leaves and seeds are highly toxic and can cause muscular tremors, breathing difficulties, trembling, lack of coordination, breathing difficulties, seizures, and death from heart failure

  • Macadamia nut – can cause vomiting, hyperthermia, weakness, stiffness, tremors, and depression
  • Horsechestnut – the nuts and sprouts are toxic
  • Oaks – shoots and leaves are toxic
  • Wild black cherry – leaves and pits are toxic
  • Elderberry – leaves, bark, roots, and buds are toxic
  • Chinaberry – berries are toxic
  • Buckeye – sprouts, seeds, and nuts are toxic

Poisonous vines for pets

Most vines, especially types of ivy, are toxic for pets and cause gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea, breathing problems, fever, weakness, hyperactivity, lack of coordination, and coma. Vine leaves are more poisonous than the berries, so you need to keep vines well-pruned and make sure you regularly sweep the area underneath to get rid of fallen leaves and berries.

Sources:

ABC Pet Training

Care2.com

Humane Society (very comprehensive list of toxic plants, trees, shrubs, herbs and flowers)

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