Plants That Can Make Animals Sick

Many common plants found in and outside the home can make animals sick. In most cases, animals would need to eat a lot before becoming ill. But keep a watch on your animals, especially when they are young and will chew almost anything. The ASPCA provides a thorough list of toxins to animals and what symptoms to expect in case the toxin is ingested.

  1. Azalea (Rhododendron spp)

    • Azaleas can be toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Illness may occur with a few hours after ingestion and can include gastrointestinal illness (vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, loss of appetite). In severe cases this continues to weakness, loss of coordination, stupor, paralysis, weak heart rate and, in worst-case situations, coma and death.

    Begonia (Begonia spp)

    • While leaves and flowers may be toxic to cats and dogs, they would have to eat quite a lot to become ill. The main toxicity is in the tuber (root). Reaction is typically seen as a mouth irritation with intense burning to the tongue and lips. Drooling, vomiting and difficulties swallowing may occur.

    Caladium (Caladium hortulanum)

    • Toxic to cats and dogs if eaten in abundance, Caladium ingestion causes reactions such as irritation to the mouth, lips and tongue--burning, excessive drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.

    Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp)

    • Colorful chrysanthemums

      The popular "mum" plant can make both dogs and cats ill if consumed in large quantities. Pets could experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive salivating, uncoordinated gait and skin irritation.

    Day Lily (Hemerocallis spp)

    • Toxic to cats and cows, day lilies can cause kidney failure in felines, and cows too can experience severe symptoms, from uncoordinated gait all the way to blindness and death.

    Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp)

    • Morning Glory

      If ingested in large quantities, morning glories can cause upset stomachs in both dogs and cats. Pets may become agitated, have tremors, be disoriented, lose muscle coordination and become anorexic. If your pet eats the flower seeds it may hallucinate and have diarrhea.

    Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

    • This holiday plant is often thought of as poisonous but according to the ASPCA it is not as toxic as many believe. The sap from the stems may cause mouth and stomach irritation and possibly vomiting in cats and dogs.

    English Ivy (Hedera helix)

    • English ivy and other varieties of ivy can be toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Heavy ingestion can cause vomiting and gastrointestinal distress, drooling and diarrhea. The foliage of the plant is more toxic than the berries.