Why this matters

Many common ornamentals can seriously harm pets—sometimes from a single bite. Use this guide to spot high-risk plants and what to do if your pet is exposed.

Quick safety checklist

  • Keep toxic plants out of your home, yard, and bouquets.

  • Assume bulbs, seeds, and berries are the most dangerous parts.

  • If your pet chews a plant: remove plant material, save a sample/photo, and call a vet or poison hotline immediately.

High-Risk Plants to Avoid

A bouquet of white lilies with green stems against a black background.

Lilies

Extremely toxic to cats; can cause acute kidney failure. Even pollen or water from a vase is dangerous.

A sprig of holly with red berries and green leaves against a black background.

Yew

Taxine alkaloids can cause tremors, heart issues, and sudden death in dogs and cats.

Pink and purple cyclamen flowers in a brown pot with green leaves against a black background.

Kalanchoe

Cardiotoxins can cause vomiting and, in large amounts, abnormal heart rhythms in dogs and cats.

Orange tulips with green stems in a glass vase tied with a red ribbon, against a black background.

Tulip

Irritating alkaloids cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea; large exposures can affect the heart in dogs and cats.

A palm tree with a thick trunk and large green fronds against a black background.

Sago Palm

All parts (especially seeds) are highly toxic to dogs and cats; causes severe liver failure.

Pink flowering plant with long stem, fuzzy pink blossoms, and a single brown leaf on a black background.

Castor Bean

Seeds contain ricin; causes severe GI signs and organ failure in dogs and cats.

Red amaryllis flower on black background

Amaryllis

Bulbs contain lycorine; causes drooling, vomiting, and abdominal pain in dogs and cats.

Two white daffodil flowers with yellow centers on green stems against a black background.

Daffodil

Irritating alkaloids cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea; large exposures can affect the heart in dogs and cats.

Pink flowering shrub with green leaves against a black background.

Oleander

Contains cardiac glycosides; can trigger heart rhythm problems, vomiting, and collapse in dogs and cats.

Pink rhododendron flower with green leaves against a black background.

Cyclamen

Tuber (root) is most toxic; causes intense vomiting and potential heart effects in dogs and cats.

Close-up of a pink dahlia flower with yellow center against black background.

Chrysanthemum

Pyrethrins can cause drooling, vomiting, and incoordination—usually mild to moderate—in dogs and cats

Green cannabis leaf on black background

Marijuana (Cannabis)

Ingestion causes lethargy, incoordination, dilated pupils, and low heart rate in dogs and cats.

What to do if your pet is exposed

  1. Stop access and gently remove plant pieces from the mouth/fur.

  2. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet instructs you to.

  3. Collect a sample/photo of the plant and note the time/amount eaten.

  4. Call your veterinarian or a poison hotline right away.

Emergency Poison Hotlines

  • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435

  • Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
    (Fees may apply.)

Pet-Safer Alternatives (great swaps)

Spider plant, areca palm, Boston fern, African violet, rose, snapdragon, zinnia, catnip/cat grass. Always verify a plant’s safety before bringing it home.

Disclaimer

This page is educational and not a substitute for professional veterinary care. If you suspect poisoning, seek veterinary help immediately.