PLANTS IN NC THAT MAY BE TOXIC TO OUR DOGS, CATS AND/OR HORSES
This list was created using information on the ASPCA website (https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poisoncontrol/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants) and shows some of the plants that have been reported as having systemic effects on animals and/or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract. This list is by no means all inclusive in that I simply chose plants that I recognized as being planted in many of our gardens here in North Carolina and pulled information from the ASPCA website about those particular plants.
For a more comprehensive list and/or information about plants that are toxic to dogs, cats and/or horses, please visit the ASPCA website yourself. Note that the ASPCA website warns “the information contained in our plant lists is not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather a compilation of the most frequently encountered plants. If you think that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian or our 24-hour emergency poison hotline directly at 1-888-426- 4435.If your pet ingested this plant, contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.* * A $65 consultation fee may apply.”
AZALEA / RHODODENDRON Additional Common Names: Rosebay, Rhododendron Scientific Name: Rhododendron spp Family: Ericaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats, and Horses Toxic Principles: Grayantoxin Clinical Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, hypotension, CNS depression, cardiovascular collapse and death. Ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems. Rhododendron is typically not very palatable to horses unless it is the only forage available, but sheep and goats may graze readily on the plant. The toxic principle interferes with normal skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and nerve function. Clinical effects typically occur within a few hours after ingestion, and can include acute digestive upset, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, frequent bowel movements/diarrhea, colic, depression, weakness, loss of coordination, stupor, leg paralysis, weak heart rate and recumbency for 2 or more days; at this point, improvement may be seen or the animal may become comatose and die.
BEGONIA Over 1,000 species and 10,000 hybrids Scientific Name: Begonia spp. Family: Begoniaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs and Cats Toxic Principles: Insoluble oxalates Clinical Signs: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing. Tubers are the most toxic.
LAUREL Additional Common Names: Dog Hobble, Dog Laurel, Fetter Bush, Sierra Laurel Scientific Name: Leucothoe davisiae Family: Ericaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats, and Horses Toxic Principles: Grayanotoxins Clinical Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, cardiovascular collapse, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, low blood pressure, death. Ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems.
CHRYSANTHEMUM Additional Common Names: Daisy, Mum; many varieties Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum spp. Family: Compositae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats and Horses Toxic Principles: Sesquiterpene, lactones, pyrethrins and other potential irritants Clinical Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, incoordination, dermatitis
CLEMATIS Additional Common Names: Virgin’s Bower, Leatherflower Scientific Name: Clematis sp. Family: Ranunculaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats and Horses Toxic Principles: Irritant glycoside (Protoanemonin) Clinical Signs: Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea.
COLEUS Additional Common Names: Indian Borage, Bread and Butter Plant, Spanish Thyme, East Indian Thyme, Stinging Thyme, Country Boarage; many others Scientific Name: Coleus ampoinicus Family: Labiatae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats and Horses Toxic Principles: Essential Oils Clinical Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, occasionally bloody diarrhea or vomiting
DAHLIA Scientific Name: Dahlia species Family: Compositae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs and Cats Toxic Principles: Unknown Clinical Signs: Mild gastrointestinal signs, mild dermatitis
HOLLY Additional Common Names: European Holly, Oregon Holly, Inkberry, Winterberry, American Holly, English Holly Scientific Name: Ilex aquifolium Family: Aquifoliaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs Cats and Horses Toxic Principles: Saponins Clinical Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea and depression. Leaves and berries are low toxicity.
FOXGLOVE; Scientific Name: Digitalis purpurea Family: Scrophalariaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats and Horses Toxic Principles: Cardiac glycosides Clinical Signs: Cardiac arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure, death.
HYACINTH Scientific Name: Hyacinthus orientalis Family: Liliaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs and Cats Toxic Principles: Narcissus like alkaloids Clinical Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis and allergic reactions. Bulbs contain highest amount of toxin.
GARDENIA Additional Common Names: Cape Jasmine Scientific Name: Gardenia jasminoides Family: Rubiaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats, and Horses Toxic Principles: Genioposide, gardenoside Clinical Signs: Mild vomiting and/or diarrhea, hives.
HOSTA Additional Common Names: Plantain Lily, Funkia Scientific Name: Hosta plataginea Family: Liliaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats and Horses Toxic Principles: Saponins Clinical Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression.
HYDRANGEA Additional Common Names: Hortensia, Hills of Snow, Seven Bark Scientific Name: Hydrangea arborescens Family: Hydrangeaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats and Horses Toxic Principles: Cyanogenic glycoside Clinical Signs: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea. Cyanide intoxication is rare but possible - usually produces more of a gastrointestinal disturbance.
IRIS Additional Common Names: Flag, Snake Lily, Water Flag Scientific Name: Iris species Family: Iridaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs and Cats Toxic Principles: Pentacylic terpenoids (zeorin, missourin and missouriensin) Clinical Signs: Salivation, vomiting, drooling,lethargy, diarrhea. Highest concentration in rhizomes.
ALIUM Additional Common Names: Elephant Garlic Scientific Name: Allium ampeloprasum Family: Liliaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs,Cats & Horses Toxic Principles: N-propyl disulfide Clinical Signs: Vomiting, breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia), blood in urine, weakness, high heart rate, panting
LOBELIA Additional Common Names: Cardinal Flower, Indian Pink Scientific Name: Lobelia cardinalis Family: Campanulaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats, and Horses Toxic Principles: Lobeline Clinical Signs: Depression, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, heart rhythm disturbances.
MILKWEED Additional Common Names: Milkweed; Butterfly Milkweed Scientific Name: Asclepias species Family: Asclepiadaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs & Cats, Highly Toxic to Horses Toxic Principles: Some species contain cardiotoxins (steroidal glycosidic cardenolides) and other species contain neurotoxins. Clinical Signs: Vomiting, profound depression, weakness, anorexia, and diarrhea are common; may be followed by seizures, difficulty breathing, rapid, weak pulse, dilated pupils, kidney or liver failure, coma, respiratory paralysis and death.
DAFFODILS Additional Common Names: Daffodil, Jonquil, Paper White Scientific Name: Narcissus spp Family: Amaryllidaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats and Horses Toxic Principles: Lycorine and other alkaloids Clinical Signs: Vomiting, salvation, diarrhea; large ingestions cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors and cardiac arrhythmias. Bulbs are the most poisonous part.
PEONY Scientific Name: Paeonis officinalis Family: Paeniaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats and Horses Toxic Principles: Paeonol Clinical Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression. PINKS Additional Common Names: Carnation, Wild Carnation, Sweet William Scientific Name: Dianthus caryophyllus Family: Caryophyllaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs and Cats Toxic Principles: Unknown irritant Clinical Signs: Mild gastrointestinal signs, mild dermatitis
VINCA Additional Common Names: Periwinkle, Vinca Scientific Name: Vinca rosea Family: Apocynaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats and Horses Toxic Principles: Vinca Alkaloids Clinical Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, depression, tremors, seizures, coma, death.
SWEET PEA Additional Common Names: Perennial Pea, Everlasting Pea Scientific Name: Lathyrus latifolius Family: Fabaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats and Horses Toxic Principles: Aminoproprionitrite Clinical Signs: Weakness, lethargy, pacing, head pressing, tremors, seizures and possibly death.
SWEET POTATOE VINE Additional Common Names: Sweet potato Scientific Name: Ipomoea batatas Family: Convolvulaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats, and Horses Toxic Principles: LSD Clinical Signs: Diarrhea, hallucinations: Mold damaged plants can cause respiratory distress in livestock
TOMATO PLANT Scientific Name: Lycopersicon spp Family: Solanaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats, and Horses Toxic Principles: Solanine Clinical Signs: Hypersalivation, inappetence, severe gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, drowsiness, CNS depression, confusion, behavioral change, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate.
TULIP Scientific Name: Tulipa species Family: Liliaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs,Cats, and Horses Toxic Principles: Tulipalin A and B Clinical Signs: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, hypersalivation. Highest concentration of toxin in bulb. WISTERIA Scientific Name: wisteria species Family: Fabaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Cats and Horses Toxic Principles: Lectin, wisterin glycoside Clinical Signs: Vomiting (sometimes with blood), diarrhea, depression
