Domestic and toxic plants for cats and dogs

Cats and dogs are curious by nature, and they love sniffing, nibbling or even ingesting plants near them.

In most cases, there will be no major problem, but the leaves, fruits, berries or flowers of some plants we usually have at home, on the terrace or in the garden may be harmful to our pets’ health.

Presenting more or less severe symptoms will depend on the species and the amount ingested, as well as on the concentration of the toxic principle the plant has.

Here’s a list of the most common domestic plants that may be toxic and harmful to our cats and dogs. Take note!

• ENGLISH HOLLY (Ilex aquifolium): it’s well-known for Christmas decorations, but its berries and leaves may cause gut disorders, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
• MISTLETOE (Viscum álbum): its white berries contain viscotoxin, which is a substance that may cause our pets gut and cardiovascular discomfort, difficulty breathing and a slow heart rate.
• POINSETTIA (Euphorbia pulcherrima): poinsettia’s sap contains irritating components that are extremely toxic to animals and may cause them inflammation, trembling, fatigue, and even dermal and ocular disorders caused by the contact of the sap with the skin or eyes.
• GERANIUM (Geranium): it’s an ornamental plant we can find in several backyards, balconies and terraces, that may cause neurological and gastrointestinal disorders.
• DIDIER’S TULIP (Tulipa gesneriana) and DAFFODIL (Narcissus pseudonarcissus): both plants contain toxic alkaloids that may cause severe gut disorders, which are mainly found within their bulbs.
• BARBADOS ALOE (Aloe barbadensis): Barbados aloe is well-known for its beneficial properties for the skin, but its gel and latex may be toxic for our cats and dogs and cause them gut discomfort, trembling and weakness.
• IVY (Hedera hélix): it’s an easy-care, fast-spreading creeper that causes mucosal irritation, dysphagia and respiratory disorders in our cats and dogs if they consume it.
• OLEANDER (Nerium oleander) and PURPLE FOXGLOVE (Digitalis purpurea): they are extremely harmful, especially for dogs, since they contain cardiac glucosides that cause arrhythmia and severe heart disorders that may provoke death.
• CENTIPEDE TONGAVINE (Epipremnum aureum), TAROVINE (Monstera deliciosa) and CALLA LILY (Zantedeschia aethiopica): due to their calcium oxalate content, they may produce an intoxication case characterized by irritation and swelling of the tongue and lips, vomiting, difficulty swallowing or excessive salivation.
• BAY LAUREL (Laurus nobilis): its component, eugenol, may cause gut irritation, vomiting, diarrhea and other digestive disorders if our cats and dogs consume it in excess.
• LILY (Lilium spp.): if our pets, especially our cats, ingest a small amount of any part of the plant, they may suffer from acute kidney failure.
• EUCALYPTUS (Eucalyptus globulus): its essential oils may be neurotoxic and convulsive.

What measures shall I take to keep my pets safe?

1. Identify the toxic plants you may have at home, and if you are not sure, consult your veterinarian or a gardening expert.
2. Place the plants in safe places and out of reach of your pets.
3. Educate and teach your pets not to get near or ingest the plants.

What can I do if my cat or dog has consumed any of these plants?

If you suspect that your pet has consumed any toxic plants, it is quite relevant to act quickly and take the proper measures.

1. Always have the phone number of your veterinarian on your contact list, and call immediately to explain the situation. Go to the veterinarian’s office or emergency room.
2. Take a picture or a sample of the plant your pet has consumed in order to facilitate diagnosis and treatment decisions.
3. Keep calm and watch the symptoms since some toxic plants may produce health disorders immediately, so until you arrive at the veterinarian, it is quite relevant to identify if your pet suffers from vomiting, convulsions, difficulty breathing, etc.