Outdoor Plants Harmful to Cats & Dogs

Thousands of common plants---both indoor and outdoor---can be harmful if ingested by cats or dogs. Some plants are less harmful than others, though it is wise to make sure a pet avoids contact with all potentially harmful plants.

  1. Garden Plants

    • Keep pets away from daffodil bulbs.

      Some plants and herbs are to be avoided in a backyard garden. The autumn crocus, bird of paradise, buttercup and jack-in-the-pulpit are all entirely harmful, and pets could get sick if they ingest any part of these plants. Daffodil and hyacinth bulbs are harmful if ingested by pets. Leaves and flowers of lilies of the valley can be harmful, and the shoots and sprouts from potato plants can make an animal sick, too.

    Trees

    • Believe it or not, some trees can be harmful to pets. Keep house pets away from the bark of the black locust tree, the nuts and seeds of a buckeye tree and the berries of a chinaberry tree. Elderberry trees have leaves, roots, bark and berries that can sicken dogs and cats. The shoots and leaves of an oak tree are also poisonous.

    Grass and shrubs

    • Some types of grass, including sorghum, and shrubs such as laurel can be harmful. Sap from some grasses should also be avoided.

    Wildflowers

    • There are many types of harmful wildflowers that grow in fields in the outdoors; identifying these may be difficult. For more information and an exhaustive list of outdoor poisonous plants, visit the link below to see a list of common poisonous plants compiled by the Humane Society of the United States.

    Cats vs. Dogs

    • Many plants are harmful to both cats and dogs, so if there is a plant a pet owner is unsure about, it is wise to avoid it in all cases. Some plants are unsafe only for cats; others are dangerous only for dogs. Be aware that the degree of contact an animal has with a poisonous plant will dictate the amount it is affected; some animals will not react as strongly as others, but it is better to be safe and avoid contact with unknown plants than to have a sick pet.

    What to do

    • If a pet owner believes an animal has been poisoned by a toxic plant, it is advisable immediately to contact a poison control hot line or a veterinarian.