What's in your backyard? These 13 plants could hurt your pets
There are hundreds of plants that are poisonous to cats and dogs and also dozens of plants that will cause discomfort.
Azaleas, lillies, tulips, and aloe vera are just some of the popular plants commonly found in gardens and homes, that could harm your pets.
Here is a list of common plants that could be a danger to your pets, according to the ASPCA.
Aloe
Scientific Name: Aloe vera
Family: Liliaceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles: Saponins, anthraquinones
Clinical Signs: Vomiting (not horses), lethargy, diarrhea. The gel is considered edible.
American Holly
Additional Common Names: English Holly, European Holly, Oregon Holly, Inkberry, Winterberry
Scientific Name: Ilex opaca
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles: saponins
Clinical Signs: Vomiting (not in horses), diarrhea and depression.
American Yew
Additional Common Names: Canada Yew, Canadian Yew
Scientific Name: Taxus canadensus
Family: Taxaceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles: Taxine A and B, Volatile oil
Clinical Signs: Tremors, difficulty breathing, vomiting, seizures (dogs), sudden death from acute heart failure.
Arum Lily
Additional Common Names: Calla Lily, Pig Lily, White Arum, Trumpet Lily, Florist's Calla, Garden Calla
Scientific Name: Zantedeschia aethiopica
Family: Araceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles: Insoluble calcium oxalates
Clinical Signs: Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing
Azalea
Additional Common Names: Rosebay, Rhododendron
Scientific Name: Rhododendron spp
Family: Ericaceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles: Grayantoxin
Clinical Signs: Vomiting (not in horses), diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure
Boxwood
Scientific Name: Buxus spp.
Family: Buxaceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles: Alkaloids
Clinical Signs: Dogs and cats: vomiting, diarrhea; Horses: colic, diarrhea, respiratory failure, seizures
Daffodil
Additional Common Names: Narcissus, Jonquil, Paper White
Scientific Name: Narcissus spp
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles: Lycorine and other alkaloids
Clinical Signs: Vomiting, salvation, diarrhea; large ingestions cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors and cardiac arrhythmias. Bulbs are the most poisonous part.
Oleander
Additional Common Names: Rose-Bay
Scientific Name: Nerium oleander
Family: Apocynaceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles: Cardiac glycosides
Clinical Signs: Drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhea, colic, depression, death
Sago Palm
Additional Common Names: Coontie Palm, Cardboard Palm, cycads and zamias
Scientific Name: Cycas revoluta, zamia species
Family: Cycadaceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles: Cycasin
Clinical Signs: Vomiting, melena, icterus, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, death.
Tropic Snow
Additional Common Names: Charming Dieffenbachia, Giant Dumb Cane, Dumbcane, Exotica, Exotica Perfection, Dieffenbachia
Scientific Name: Dieffenbachia amoena
Family: Araceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats
Toxic Principles: Insoluble calcium oxalates, proteolytic enzyme
Clinical Signs: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth , tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Caladium
Additional Common Names: Malanga, Elephant's Ears, Stoplight, Seagull, Mother-in-law Plant, Pink Cloud, Texas Wonder, Angel-Wings, Exposition, Candidum, Fancy-leaved Caladium
Scientific Name: Caladium hortulanum
Family: Araceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles: Insoluble calcium oxalates
Clinical Signs: Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing
Tulip
Scientific Name: Tulipa spp.
Family: Liliaceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles: Tulipalin A and B
Clinical Signs: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, hypersalivation. Highest concentration of toxin in bulb.
Cordatum
Additional Common Names: Fiddle-Leaf, Horsehead Philodendron, Heartleaf Philodendron, Panda Plant, Split Leaf Philodendron, Fruit Salad Plant, Red Emerald, Red Princess, Saddle Leaf
Scientific Name: Philodendron oxycardium
Family: Araceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles: Insoluble calcium oxalates
Clinical Signs: Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing
For more information on plants that could harm your pets, go to aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants.
For information on what to do if your pet is poisoned, click here, aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
