Grow your knowledge and learn about the dangers of plants that could be in and around your home!
Below is the top 11 poisonous plants Pet Poison Helpline® receives calls on. Keep in mind that eating anything outside of the regular diet can cause stomach upset and diarrhea – this includes any plant.
Lilies in this genus are true lilies and can result in stomach upset and acute kidney failure if ingested by cats. A few examples of Lilium sp. are Stargazers, Oriental, Asiatic, Tiger, Roselily and Easter lilies. All parts of the plant, including the water in a fresh cut flower arrangement are considered toxic.
Similar to Lilium sp., daylilies in the Hemerocallis sp. can also result in stomach upset and acute kidney failure if ingested by cats. All parts of the plant are considered toxic.
Cycad / sago palm (Cycas cirinalis), Japanese cycad (Cycad revoluta), Coontie plant (Zamia pumila), and Cardbord palm (Zamia furfuracea) are highly poisonous to pets. While every part of the plant is toxic, the seeds are the most toxic part. These plants can cause severe stomach distress, fatal liver failure and potentially neurologic abnormalities.
Pothos/Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)
These plants contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can be very irritating to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Fortunately, signs are limited to mouth pain and stomach upset. Exposure to the eyes may result in eye pain with tearing and squinting.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum species)
(These plants also contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals and exposure results in similar signs as Pothos/Devil’s Ivy and Philodendron.)
These plants contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can be very irritating to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Fortunately, signs are limited to mouth pain and stomach upset. Exposure to the eyes may result in eye pain with tearing and squinting.
Azaleas (Rhododendron species)
Azaleas contain toxins called grayanotoxins. Most ingestions by pets will only result in stomach upset, however, more severe signs including heart rate and rhythm abnormalities as well as neurologic changes can occur with large ingestions.
The sap from aloe plants can result in intense diarrhea and vomiting. It is unlikely for more severe signs to occur.
(These plants also contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals and exposure results in similar signs as Pothos/Devil’s Ivy and Peace Lily.)
These plants contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can be very irritating to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Fortunately, signs are limited to mouth pain and stomach upset. Exposure to the eyes may result in eye pain with tearing and squinting.
Stomach upset including vomiting, diarrhea and inappetence may develop after a pet ingests hosta plants. More significant signs are not expected.
Tulip and Daffodil bulbs can cause heart rate, rhythm and blood pressure changes if ingested. When other parts of the plant are ingested, signs are generally limited to stomach upset.
