Many popular houseplants are toxic to dogs. Some cause mild gastrointestinal upset, whilst others like lilies and dieffenbachia can cause severe poisoning. If you have indoor plants and a dog, it is crucial to know which plants are safe and which are dangerous.
The Most Toxic Houseplants
Lilies — Critical Threat
As mentioned previously, lilies are among the most dangerous houseplants. All parts are toxic: flowers, stems, leaves, pollen, and bulbs.
Risk: Even minimal exposure can cause acute kidney failure
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain, reduced urination, kidney failure
Types to avoid entirely: Easter lilies, Asiatic lilies, Oriental lilies, Tiger lilies, Stargazer lilies
If you have lilies in your home with a dog, remove them immediately. Pollen drifts easily and can be ingested during grooming. Even houseguest lilies (like Easter lilies) should be kept away from dogs.
Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) — Severe Oral Burns
Dieffenbachia contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate oral and throat irritation.
Symptoms: Drooling (sometimes profuse), difficulty swallowing, mouth pain, pawing at mouth, vomiting, diarrhoea, respiratory distress (if swelling occurs in throat)
Treatment: Supportive care, hydration, pain management. Severe swelling may require emergency airway management
Note: Any contact with the mouth or throat requires veterinary attention
Philodendron — Common Indoor Plant
Philodendrons contain calcium oxalate crystals and are commonly found in homes.
Symptoms: Drooling, oral irritation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, diarrhoea
Treatment: Supportive care, hydration, monitoring
Note: Philodendrons are low toxicity but can cause significant discomfort
Oleander — Decorative but Dangerous
Oleander contains cardiac glycosides and is a serious risk if chewed.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, heart arrhythmias, tremors, weakness
Treatment: Emergency cardiac monitoring and supportive care
Sago Palm — Nearly Always Fatal
As mentioned in the plants guide, sago palms are extremely toxic and cause rapid liver failure.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, jaundice, bruising, bleeding, seizures
Treatment: Emergency supportive care and liver support (often unsuccessful)
Recommendation: Remove entirely if you have a dog
Other Toxic Houseplants
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not highly toxic, but they can cause GI upset.
Symptoms: Mild vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, drooling
Toxicity level: Low to moderate
Treatment: Supportive care, monitoring
Ivy Plants — Dermatitis and GI Upset
Ivy (English ivy, Devil's ivy, Pothos) can cause dermatitis and GI upset.
Symptoms: Skin irritation and dermatitis, drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain
Treatment: Supportive care, hydration, skin treatment if contact dermatitis occurs
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies contain calcium oxalates and can cause oral irritation.
Symptoms: Drooling, difficulty swallowing, oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhoea
Treatment: Supportive care
Calla Lily (Zantedeschia)
Calla lilies contain calcium oxalates and are toxic.
Symptoms: Drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, diarrhoea, oral pain
Treatment: Supportive care, hydration
Daffodil (Indoor Forcing)
Daffodil bulbs are sometimes forced indoors and pose the same risk as outdoor varieties.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, tremors, cardiac issues
Treatment: Supportive care, induced vomiting if within 2 hours
Amaryllis
Amaryllis bulbs are toxic and pose risk during the forcing/blooming season.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, drooling, tremors
Treatment: Supportive care
Cyclamen — Seasonal Risk
Cyclamens are popular holiday decorations and are toxic.
Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, tremors
Treatment: Supportive care
Kalanchoe — Toxic Succulent
Kalanchoe contains cardiac glycosides.
Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, heart arrhythmias
Treatment: Supportive care, cardiac monitoring
Houseplants That Are Generally Safe for Dogs
Not all indoor plants are toxic. The following are generally considered safe:
- Spider plant — Non-toxic (though may cause mild GI upset in some dogs)
- Boston fern — Safe
- African violet — Safe
- Prayer plant — Safe
- Peperomia — Safe
- Parlour palm — Safe
- Christmas cactus — Safe
- Haworthia — Safe
- Polka dot plant — Safe
- Gloxinia — Safe
Always verify a plant's safety before bringing it into your home. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has a searchable database of plants and their toxicity levels.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats a Houseplant
- Remove remaining plant — Carefully remove any remaining material from mouth and paws
- Identify the plant — Take a photo if you don't know what it is
- Call your vet immediately — Even if symptoms haven't appeared
- Call the Animal PoisonLine — 01202 509000 (UK, 24/7)
- Have ready: plant identification, amount eaten, time of ingestion, your dog's weight
- Describe symptoms if any have appeared
- Follow veterinary instructions precisely
Prevention
At home:
- Avoid toxic plants entirely if you have a dog
- Replace toxic plants with safe alternatives
- Place plants out of reach on high shelves or in closed rooms (though not completely safe)
- Be vigilant with gifts of plants (potted plants, bouquets, flowering plants)
- Prevent access to potting soil and plant water
- Supervise your dog around plants
Seasonal vigilance:
- Easter lilies and poinsettias in spring/winter
- Daffodils and other bulb flowers in spring
- Amaryllis in winter
Even placing a toxic plant "out of reach" is not completely safe. Pollen drifts, leaves fall, and curious dogs may knock things over. The safest option is to avoid toxic plants entirely.
Safe Plant Alternatives
If you love indoor plants but have a dog, consider these safe options:
- Boston fern
- Prayer plant
- African violet
- Spider plant
- Polka dot plant
- Christmas cactus
- Parlour palm
- Peperomia
- Haworthia
- Areca palm
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