Plants Toxic to Cats & Dogs
Many popular house and garden plants are toxic to cats and dogs – often a single nibbled leaf is enough. This overview lists 119 plants from our database that are considered pet-toxic, each with its toxicity and the reason. Pet-safe alternatives follow further down.
In an emergency (suspected poisoning), contact a vet or poison-control line immediately. This page is not a substitute for veterinary advice.
LETHALLY TOXIC — ENTIRE PLANT, ESPECIALLY THE ROOT TUBER.
Animal warning: toxic to dogs (ASPCA warning).
TOXIC to humans and pets: calcium oxalate crystals in all plant parts cause mucous membrane irritation, salivation, and difficulty swallowing.
Frangula bark is an anthraquinone-containing stimulant laxative and should be used only short term (maximum one week) and not continuously without medical advice.
Toxic to dogs and cats: All four Allium species listed by the ASPCA (onion, garlic, chives, leek) are toxic to dogs and cats; CliniTox lists wild garlic as toxic and explicitly names 'other Allium sp…
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
EXTREMELY TOXIC — CARCINOGENIC — BANNED IN THE EU.
Animal hazard: toxic to dogs and cats — the tropane alkaloids affect pets as well (Wag!).
Caution: as a nondescript 'little brown mushroom' (LBM), the banded mottlegill is easily confused with deadly toxic species, especially the funeral bell (Galerina marginata), which contains liver-des…
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
Boldo leaf contains an essential oil with a high proportion of ascaridole, which can be liver- and nerve-damaging (hepatotoxic and neurotoxic) at higher doses.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to cats.
EXTREMELY TOXIC — ALL PLANT PARTS.
The raw plant contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids; use only PA-free, standardized products; not during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
Capsicum chinense covers the hottest edible chillies in the world (Habanero 100k–350k SHU, Bhut Jolokia ~1 million SHU, Carolina Reaper up to 2.2 million SHU).
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to cats — larger amounts can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
TOXIC TO PETS: Chives are toxic to dogs, cats, horses and other pets — Allium sulphur compounds (n-propyl disulfide) damage red blood cells and can cause haemolytic anaemia (Heinz body anaemia).
Its principal compound cocaine is a powerful stimulant with high potential for dependence, poisoning and cardiovascular harm (arrhythmia, seizures, stroke, death from overdose).
Animal hazard: highly toxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA) — even small amounts can be fatal.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
Plectranthus caninus is commercially marketed as the 'Piss-off plant' against marking by cats and dogs — this repellent claim is INSUFFICIENTLY supported scientifically and should not be relied upon…
Phototoxic (severe blistering phytophotodermatitis on skin contact plus sunlight).
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
The tuber is HIGHLY TOXIC to dogs, cats, and birds (saponin-induced haemolysis and mucosal irritation).
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
HIGHLY TOXIC — ALL PARTS, ESPECIALLY BARK, SEEDS AND BERRIES.
VERY TOXIC — ENTIRE PLANT, SEEDS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS.
DEADLY POISONOUS.
TOXIC for dogs and cats.
TOXIC to dogs and cats: saponins cause vomiting (occasionally bloody), depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, and dilated pupils in cats.
TOXIC for dogs and cats (saponins) — vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats — the toxic parts are the leaves and flowers, while small amounts of cooked fruit flesh are considered harmless.
Keep out of reach of small children and pets, especially cats and dogs.
Eating cereal contaminated with ergot causes ergotism (St.
STRONGLY TOXIC — ALL PLANT PARTS, ESPECIALLY THE BRIGHT ORANGE SEEDS.
DEADLY raw: gyromitrin is converted in the body into monomethylhydrazine (also used as rocket fuel).
Mildly toxic to cats and dogs (gastrointestinal irritation, skin irritation).
The species is listed by the ASPCA as toxic to dogs, cats and horses (gastrointestinal irritation, hypersalivation).
CRITICAL FORAGING WARNING: NEVER confuse field horsetail (E.
All plant parts contain insoluble calcium oxalate raphides (needle-shaped crystals in specialised idioblast cells) plus Aroideae-typical saponins.
POISONOUS.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
IMPORTANT: Ginkgo leaf extracts (especially EGb 761) can inhibit platelet aggregation and increase bleeding risk — always inform physician before surgery, dental procedures, and when taking anticoagu…
Psilocybe cubensis contains the psychoactive alkaloids psilocybin and psilocin.
IMPORTANT: grapes and raisins (the fruit) are toxic to dogs and can cause acute kidney failure.
Greater celandine is toxic and the root is highly poisonous.
KEY SAFETY WARNINGS: (1) BERRIES TOXIC — ivy berries (blue-black, ripe Sept–Oct) are toxic to humans and pets.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
Pets — particularly cats — are highly sensitive; a single chewed bulb scale can trigger vomiting, tremor and epileptiform seizures in cats (frequent emergency presentations to veterinarians between D…
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs.
Compared to narcissi, hyacinth is markedly less toxic (saponins instead of higher-amount lycorine) but remains dangerous for toddlers and pets — pot culture indoors makes the bulb easily accessible t…
TOXIC — ENTIRE PLANT.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
Ibogaine and its metabolite noribogaine can prolong the QT interval and trigger life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias (e.g.
Current BfR / Wikipedia-DE assessment: 'rated as mildly toxic' — applies only to adults and small berry quantities; for children and pets still to be treated as toxic.
IMPORTANT: Juniper berry preparations (tea, tincture, essential oil) must NOT be used for more than 4–6 weeks without a break — prolonged use can irritate the kidneys (juniper essential oil contains…
Khat contains the amphetamine-like stimulant cathinone.
STRONGLY TOXIC — ALL PLANT PARTS, ESPECIALLY THE UNRIPE, PEA-LIKE SEEDS AND SEED PODS.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
Leek, like all alliums, is toxic to dogs and cats (n-propyl disulfide → haemolysis / Heinz-body anaemia); even small amounts can be dangerous to pets.
WARNING: High risk of confusion with deadly poisonous small mushrooms, especially the funeral bell (Galerina marginata, amatoxin-containing), muscarine-containing fibrecaps (Inocybe) and the kidney-d…
Also toxic to dogs, cats, horses and ruminants.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
VERY TOXIC — entire plant, especially the root.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
Compared with dog's mercury (Mercurialis perennis), M.
On suspected oral poisoning: poison control (regional centres), abundant water, NO salt water for induced vomiting; for children and pets present immediately to medical/veterinary care.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
Toxic to pets.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
POISONOUS, more so than the fly agaric and potentially fatal.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
Toxic to dogs and cats: Raw beans contain phasin (a lectin) that causes vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs and cats too.
Toxic to dogs and cats: Raw beans contain phasin (a lectin) that causes vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs and cats too.
TOXIC to dogs, cats, and humans.
PET TOXICITY: mild — only mildly toxic to dogs and cats (gastrointestinal irritation, no organ failure).
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats — the toxic parts are the foliage, sprouts and green patches on the tuber, while small amounts of cooked, green-free potato are cons…
Prunus laurocerasus (cherry laurel, common laurel) is one of the most common hedge plants in Central Europe and a frequent source of poisoning in children and pets.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
TOXIC — FRESH PLANT IS HIGHLY IRRITANT AND TOXIC.
Toxic to dogs and cats: Acorn and leaf poisoning in dogs is a standard veterinary case (tannins, gastrointestinal and kidney damage).
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs.
Keep children and pets away from seeds and uncrushed plant.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
TOXICITY ALERT — confusion risk and raw-consumption risk: Only FLOWERS (Sambuci flos) are the recognised medicinal drug.
Senna (senna leaf and senna pods) is an anthranoid-containing stimulant laxative and should be used only short term (at most one to two weeks) and not continuously without medical advice.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
TOXIC to dogs, cats, and humans.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
Dogs and cats develop the same symptoms, which is why Monstera deliciosa is listed as toxic to pets.
TOXIC — all plant parts, especially the white berries, contain saponins, chelidonic acid and the iridoid glycoside symphoricarposide.
Tagetes patula essential oil and root exudates contain thiophene derivatives, mainly α-terthienyl (α-T) and α-bithienyl — these are PHOTOTOXIC: combined with UV-A light they can cause erythema, blist…
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
TOXIC (thujone content) — essential oil, twigs, leaves, cones.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats — the toxic parts are the leaves, stems and unripe green fruit, while small amounts of ripe tomato flesh are considered harmless.
Also toxic to dogs, cats and horses (symptoms: hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhoea, in severe form tachycardia and respiratory distress).
Keep the plant out of reach of small children and curious pets.
VERY TOXIC — entire plant, especially rhizome and roots.
Lesser periwinkle is toxic in all plant parts (total alkaloid content 0.2–0.7 %).
TOXIC.
Contains the neurotoxin thujone in its essential oil; do not exceed recommended doses and do not use continuously for more than two weeks.
ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs and cats.
TOXIC to dogs, cats, and humans.
Pet-safe alternatives
These houseplants are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs – a good choice for homes with pets. See more on the Pet-safe plants for cats & dogs page.
Explore: Houseplants · Distribution map · all plants