Published on 08/06/24

Keep these toxic plants away from your pets

By Brenda Jackson

You've heard it all: dog mom, cat dad, plant parent.

However you identify, if you are working on your green thumb and have pets, you need to know which of your plants could make your dog or cat sick. Young or new pets tend to nibble and taste plants as they explore and become familiar with their environment, but some garden and house plants are toxic.

Symptoms may range from a mild upset stomach to a severe toxic response that can lead to death. Even common plants can be deadly, so read more to learn which plants to keep away from your pets and why.

Identifying toxic plants

Plant toxicities can be organized into four classes:

Major Toxicity: Plants in toxicity class 1 may cause serious illness or death if ingested.
Minor Toxicity: Plants in toxicity class 2 may cause vomiting or diarrhea if ingested.
Oxalates: Plants in toxicity class 3 contain juice or sap with oxalate crystals that can irritate the skin, mouth and/or throat, cause swelling, difficulty breathing, pain, and/or an upset stomach.
Dermatitis: Plants in toxicity class 4 may cause a skin rash if contact with thorns or sap occurs.

The plants pictured here and labeled with common and scientific names have been designated with their plant toxicity classes.

Amaryllis Amaryllis spp.
Toxicity class: Minor Toxicity, Dermatitis

Autumn crocus Colchicum autumnale.
Toxicity class: Major Toxicity, Dermatitis

Bay laurel (sweet bay) Laurus nobilis
Toxicity class: Minor Toxicity

Caladium Caladium spp.
Toxicity class: Oxalates, Dermatitis

Calla lily Zantedeschia aethiopica
Toxicity class: Oxalates, Dermatitis

Cardinal flower Lobelia spp.
Toxicity class: Major Toxicity, Dermatitis

Castor bean Ricinus communis
Toxicity class: Major Toxicity

Cyclamen Cyclamen spp.
Toxicity class: Minor Toxicity, Dermatitis

Daffodil (bulb) Narcissus spp.
Toxicity class: Minor Toxicity, Dermatitis

Daylily Hemerocallis spp.
Toxicity class: Major Toxicity (for cats)

Dieffenbachia (dumbcane) Dieffenbachia seguine
Toxicity class: Oxalates

Easter lily, Oriental lily Lilium spp.
Toxicity class: Major Toxicity, Minor Toxicity, Dermatitis (for cats)

Elephant ear Colocasia esculenta
Toxicity class: Oxalates, Dermatitis

English ivy Hedera spp.
Toxicity class: Minor Toxicity, Dermatitis

Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
Toxicity class: Major Toxicity

Hyacinth Hyacinthus spp.
Toxicity class: Minor Toxicity, Dermatitis

Jade Plant (Chinese rubber plant, Japanese rubber plant) Crassula argentea
Toxicity class: Minor Toxicity, Dermatitis

Laburnum (golden chain tree) Laburnum anagyroides
Toxicity class: Minor Toxicity

Mother-in-law’s tongue (snake plant) Sansevieria trifasciata
Toxicity class: Minor Toxicity, Dermatitis

Mistletoe Phoradendron spp.
Toxicity class: Minor Toxicity, Dermatitis

Oleander Nerium oleander
Toxicity class: Major Toxicity, Dermatitis

Philodendron Monstera deliciosa
Toxicity class: Oxalates, Dermatitis

Rhododendron azalea Rhododendron spp.
Toxicity class: Major Toxicity

Sago palm Cycas revoluta
Toxicity class: Major Toxicity

Schefflera Schefflera actinophylla
Toxicity class: Minor Toxicity, Dermatitis

Yew Taxus spp.
Toxicity class: Major Toxicity

Keep toxic plants out of your pet’s reach

This is not a complete list of plants that can potentially be harmful to your pets. For more information on plants that could be harmful to pets, check out toxic and non-toxic plants from the ASPCA or poisonous plants for dogs and cats from the Veterinary Partner website.

Choose plants that are not toxic to pets or use fencing to keep pets away. For more information, refer to University of Georgia Cooperative Extension publication "Keep Your Pets Safe Around Plants" or contact your local UGA Extension agent at extension.uga.edu.

If you suspect a poison-related emergency, contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

Brenda Jackson is the UGA Cooperative Extension coordinator and Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Murray County.

Authors:

Brenda Jackson

Experts/Sources:

Brenda Jackson

CAES News

UGA Extension supports resilience in Georgia farm communities after Hurricane Helene 12/19/24 Emily Cabrera

Hurricane Helene wrought sweeping devastation across Georgia’s agricultural sector in late September, leaving an indelible mark on both the land and the people who tend it, bringing focus to vulnerabilities in Georgia’s farming industry and the need for more robust safety nets. In addition to the physical destruction, the hurricane took an emotional toll on Georgia’s farmers. In response, UGA Extension has prioritized mental health support.

University of Georgia startup CytoNest Inc. released its first commercial product this year, a fiber scaffold that optimizes cell manufacturing and tissue engineering. (Photo by Lauren Corcino)

CAES News

UGA again ranks No. 1 in new research-based products 11/04/24 Brandon Ward

The University of Georgia once again ranks No. 1 among U.S. universities for the number of commercial products to market based on its research, according to an annual survey conducted by AUTM. For nine straight years, UGA has placed in the top two and has never appeared out of the Top 5 in the 11 years the survey has been reported by AUTM. UGA industry partners and startups released a record 66 new products developed from the university’s research in fiscal year 2023, on which the AUTM report is based.

Combining data collection and analysis with plant pathology, precision agriculture and robotics, the UGA team will build a photographic library of the foliar symptoms caused by onion diseases and other physiological disorders, feed them into the AI software, and use machine learning to identify the diseases based on pattern and color recognition from the images.

CAES News

UGA uses AI, robotics to improve Georgia’s Vidalia sweet onion crop 10/23/24 Jordan Powers

A multidisciplinary team of UGA researchers aims to enhance the competitiveness of Vidalia onion growers in Georgia by providing them with the ability to confidently detect onion diseases early, enabling them to make management decisions on their crop at a critical time. These abilities, researchers say, should result in increased yield and quality of marketable onions and an overall increase in efficiency and productivity.

Associate Professor Rhuanito Ferrarezi poses with a Gerber daisy grown by students in his 4050/6050 Greenhouse Management class in fall 2023.

CAES News

Upcoming UGA plant sales bring color to fall 10/15/24 Maria M. Lameiras

Fall weather means fall gardening, and several groups at the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences will be offering the fruits of their labors at ornamental plant sales across campus this semester. On Friday, Oct. 18, the Trial Gardens at University of Georgia will hold its annual Fall Houseplant Sale, and on Wednesday, Nov. 20, greenhouse management students will offer their ornamental plant sale at the South Milledge Greenhouse Complex.

Although it may not fit the traditional image of a well-kept lawn, this landscape is the result of careful planning and a deep commitment to ecological stewardship.

CAES News

Done with mowing? How to transform your lawn into a native, perennial landscape 09/12/24 Emily Cabrera

On a tour of her Blairsville, Georgia, home, Becky Griffin navigates a swaying maze of perennial grasses interspersed with pussy willows, switchgrass and boneset. Although it may not fit the traditional image of a well-kept lawn, this landscape is the result of careful planning and a deep commitment to ecological stewardship. As a native plant enthusiast and coordinator of the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, Griffin hand-selected each of these native plants for the countless ecological services they provide year-round.

CAES News

Keep on the grass 08/29/24 Emily Cabrera, Scott Michaux

When the University of Georgia Bulldogs step between the hedges at Sanford Stadium, the grass on Dooley Field needs to look perfect. More importantly, though, it needs to help safeguard the health of athletes who compete on it. Gerald Henry plays a big role in the latter. The UGA Athletic Association’s endowed professor in environmental turfgrass leads a research team in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences committed to creating sports fields that look good and perform well to limit the occurrence of injuries.