Which plants are toxic to cats? How about plants that are poisonous to dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, and iguanas? Keep these common plants away from your pets!
We all enjoy our plants. However, pet owners need to be aware that some plants can be harmful if their animal has a hankering to eat them.
You may already know that daffodils can cause vomiting and other signs of poisoning. But you may not know that foxglove and aloe vera can be harmful, too. The risk depends on both the plant and the pet: A plant that is especially dangerous to cats may affect dogs differently.
We’ve highlighted common plants to watch out for below. This is not a complete list, so always check the identity and toxicity of any new plant before bringing it into your home, garden, or pet’s enclosure.
A special warning for cat owners: True lilies (Lilium species) and daylilies (Hemerocallis species) can cause fatal kidney failure in cats. Even small exposures—including swallowing pollen while grooming or drinking water from a vase—can be dangerous. If you suspect exposure, contact a veterinarian immediately, even if your cat seems well.
What Plants are Toxic to Cats?
The following plants are toxic to cats. Their effects vary, so contact your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has eaten one.
- Aloe Vera
- Amaryllis
- Asian Lily
- Asparagus Fern
- Autumn Crocus
- Azalea (Rhododendron)
- Begonia
- Bittersweet
- Boxwood
- Burning Bush
- Calla Lily
- Castor Bean
- Christmas Rose/Lenten Rose
- Common or cherry laurel
- Carnations
- Catnip (Many cats love catnip, but it can cause vomiting and diarrhea.)
- Cyclamens
- Daylily
- Daffodil
- Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia)
- Easter Lily
- Elephant’s ears (Caladium)
- Forced indoor bulbs such as narcissus (Paper whites)
- Foxglove
- Geranium
- Holly
- Hyacinth
- Hydrangeas
- Larkspur
- Lily (true lilies)
- Lily of the Valley
- Mistletoe
- Mums
- Oleander
- Philodendron
- Rubber plants
- Sago Palm
- Tiger Lily
- True Ivy
- Winter, or false Jerusalem, cherry
- Yew (bush)
Which Plants are Poisonous to Dogs?
The following plants are toxic to dogs. The risk depends on the plant, the amount eaten, and your dog’s size and health.
- Aloe vera
- Angel’s trumpet
- Autumn crocus
- Azalea
- Begonia (annual)
- Bittersweet (vine)
- Bleeding heart
- Boston ivy (vine)
- Boxwood (shrub)
- Burning bush (shrub)
- Calla lily
- Castor bean
- Chokecherry
- Christmas rose/Lenten rose
- Clematis (vine)
- Daffodil
- Daphne
- Elephant’s ear
- English ivy (vine)
- Foxglove
- Holly
- Hosta
- Hyacinth
- Iris
- Jimsonweed
- Lantana (annual/houseplant)
- Lily (true lilies)
- Lily of the Valley
- Mistletoe
- Monkshood
- Morning glory (vine)
- Mountain laurel (shrub)
- Mums
- Nightshade, also called Belladonna
- Oleander (tree)
- Peace lily
- Potatoes (leaves, shoots, sprouts)
- Rhododendrons
- Sago palm
- Tiger lily
- Tulip
- Wisteria (vine)
- Yarrow
- Yew (bush)
Which Plants are Poisonous to Guinea Pigs and Rabbits?
They CAN eat:
- Chickweed
- Coltsfoot
- Dandelion
- Goldenrod
- Green clover
- Mallow
- Plantain
- Yarrow
- Asters
- Marigolds
- Nasturtiums
- Sunflowers
- Sweet Peas
They CANNOT eat:
- Buttercups
- Deadly nightshade
- Foxglove
- Groundsel
- Scarlet Pimpernel
- Flowers of leaves from bulbs, such as tulips
- Lily of the valley
- Rhododendrons
Which Plants are Toxic to Iguanas?
Iguanas love fruits and vegetables, but sometimes pet iguanas don’t know the difference between poisonous and not poisonous.
Iguanas CANNOT eat:
- Amaryllis bulbs
- Apple seeds
- Avocado pits, peels, foliage
- Azaleas
- Christmas Cacti
- Cyclamens
- Daffodil bulbs and sap
- Delphiniums
- Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia)
- Foxglove
- Hyacinth Bulb
- Hydrangea Flowers
- Impatiens
- Ivy (most kinds)
- Mistletoe berries and foliage
- Rhododendrons
- Tomato plant foliage and vines
- Tulips
- Wisteria
Are Poinsettias Poisonous to Pets?
This is one of our most common questions. Though they have a bad reputation, poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are only mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Their milky sap can cause irritation, and chewing the plant may lead to drooling, vomiting, or occasionally diarrhea.
Keep poinsettias out of reach, and contact your veterinarian if your pet eats one or develops symptoms. See more about harmful holiday plants.
What to Do if Your Pet Eats a Poisonous Plant
If you suspect your pet has eaten a poisonous plant, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control service immediately. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear.
Move your pet away from the plant. If possible, have a photograph, plant label, or sample available, along with an estimate of how much was eaten and when. Do not induce vomiting or give home remedies unless a veterinary professional instructs you to do so.
Common Signs of Toxicity
If your pet exhibits these signs, it may have eaten something poisonous. Call your vet or the ASPCA poison control center immediately. If possible, bring a sample of the plant and tell the vet staff how much your pet ingested.
- Excessive salivation
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Rapid Breathing
- Racing or irregular pulse
- Cold extremities
Vulnerability to plant toxicities does depend on pet species, amount ingested, and the size of your pet.
Pet Poison Control Centers
Please note: This is NOT a complete list! Find a searchable list and complete toxicity information on the website of a pet poison control center:
- Pet Poison Helpline, 855-764-7661
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 888-426-4435
Related Content
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In general, it is good to keep in mind that certain pets may develop allergies, even though a food may be safe overall for an animal species. As to nuts, the ASPCA especially lists macadamia nuts as not good for dogs, as it can cause weakness, tremors, vomiting, hyperthermia, etc. within 12 hours; it isn't clear if it affects cats, but better to stay away. Black walnuts can also be especially toxic, at least to dogs. Nuts in general are not good for dogs and cats due to high content of oil and fats; the high fat can potentially cause vomiting and diarrhea, or sometimes pancreatitis, or just cause an upset digestive system, as it is not easy for the animal to process the fat. Avoid any moldy nuts or any salted nuts. As for peanut butter, if you do feed it to your pet, be sure that it does not contain xylitol, which is a sweetener that can be toxic to pets. So are there any nuts that cats and dogs can eat? It really depends on the amount and the nut, as well as the animal species and the individual pet. Overall, it's best to stay away from feeding any nut to a cat or dog; some of them are not toxic, but they can cause stomach upset, or allergies (depending on the pet), or even be a choking hazard. For best advice, we'd recommend consulting with a vet to be extra sure before feeding a nut to Fluffy or Fido. Hope this helps!
Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Sally. The Norfolk pine is also known as Australian pine, House pine, and Norfolk Island pine all under the same Scientific Name: Araucaria heterophylla and in the Family: Araucariaceae. You'll get no argument from us but for the record the ASPCA claims that this plant is non-toxic to both cats and dogs.
Happy to hear that your cat recovered!
Yes, chickweed is fine for guinea pigs. In fact, it's quite a tasty treat! To be positive of what's best for guinea pigs, check with the humane society.
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