What to do if a cat or dog eats a toxic plant
About 8 minutes to read. Published . By the House & Hedge team.
Most houseplants are harmless to cats and dogs. A few are not, and the ones that are can cause serious harm, sometimes within hours and sometimes days after a pet has nibbled. Knowing which plants to avoid, what the early signs look like, and who to call is the most useful preparation. This guide covers the plants of greatest concern, what to watch for, what to do first, and what not to do.
This guide is general information, not a substitute for a vet. If your pet has eaten a plant and you are worried, call a vet or a poison control line now. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.
Plants that are most dangerous
The plants below are among the most common causes of serious poisoning in pets. The list is not complete, and the ASPCA publishes a much longer one on its website.
- Lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis). Highly dangerous to cats. Every part is toxic, including pollen, petals, leaves and the water in the vase. Even small amounts can cause kidney failure in cats. Lilies are less dangerous to dogs, but they can still cause stomach upset.
- Sago palm (Cycas revoluta). Every part is toxic, and the seeds are the most dangerous. It can cause liver failure in dogs and cats. Vomiting can start within hours, but liver damage may not show for two or three days, which is why early treatment matters.
- Oleander (Nerium oleander). All parts are toxic and can affect the heart. It is found in gardens and sometimes sold as a houseplant.
- Yew (Taxus). All parts are toxic except the bright red fleshy aril around the seed. The seed itself is the most dangerous part. Yew affects the heart, and in severe cases it can cause sudden death.
- Azalea and rhododendron. Toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Vomiting, drooling and weakness are common, and severe cases affect the heart.
- Daffodils and tulips. The bulbs are the most toxic part. Vomiting and drooling are the usual signs, and large amounts can cause more serious problems.
- Pothos, philodendron, peace lily and dieffenbachia. These contain calcium oxalate crystals, which irritate the mouth and throat. Expect drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting and swelling. The effects are usually uncomfortable rather than life-threatening, but swelling of the throat needs urgent care.
- Poinsettia. A mild irritant. It can cause mouth irritation and some vomiting, and it is far less dangerous than its reputation suggests.
What to watch for
Signs vary by plant, but several are common to many poisonings. Watch for drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, pawing at the mouth, tremors, changes in urination, and changes in breathing or heart rate. Lilies in cats can show few signs at first, then cause vomiting and, a day or two later, kidney damage, even when the cat seems to be recovering. Sago palm poisoning can be delayed in the same way.
A pet that collapses, has seizures, has trouble breathing, has an irregular heartbeat or cannot be woken needs an emergency vet immediately.
What to do first
- Remove the pet from the plant, and take away any plant material from its mouth if it is safe to do so. Do not put your fingers into the mouth of a pet that is biting or distressed.
- Identify the plant if you can. Take a leaf, a flower or the plant label to the vet. If the pet has vomited, bring a sample, because it can help identify what was eaten.
- Note how much was eaten, when, and the pet’s weight, age and any health conditions.
- Call a vet or a poison control line straight away. Have the information from step 3 ready.
- Follow the advice you are given. The vet may ask you to bring the pet in, or may give instructions for care at home.
Keep the pet calm and warm, and keep it away from the plant while you call. Do not wait to see whether symptoms develop, because some plants cause damage before any signs appear.
What not to do
- Do not make the pet vomit unless a vet or a poison control specialist tells you to. Some plants and some animals are harmed by vomiting, and a sharp or caustic substance can cause more damage on the way back up.
- Do not give any home remedy unless a professional has told you to. This includes hydrogen peroxide, milk, salt water and activated charcoal.
- Do not give human medicine, including painkillers, which are dangerous to cats and dogs.
- Do not wait for symptoms, because some poisonings cause damage long before signs appear, and some signs appear a long time after the plant was eaten.
Keeping the house safe
The safest step is to keep the plant out of reach. Cats climb, jump and sit on high shelves, and dogs can reach low plants and fallen leaves. Put dangerous plants on a high shelf or in a room the pet cannot enter. Hanging baskets help, but check that the hook and the chain are secure, because a cat can knock a basket down.
Check every new plant before it comes home. A plant that looks ordinary may be a dangerous variety, and a gift bouquet may contain lilies. If there is a cat in the house, keep cut lilies out of the room entirely. Wipe up any pollen that has dropped onto a surface, because cats groom the pollen off their paws and swallow it.
Dogs and cats also eat fallen leaves and bulbs in the garden. Remove a plant from the garden if the pet is a regular grazer, or fence it off.
Pet-friendly alternatives
If a cat or dog shares the home, choose plants that are not known to be toxic. Spider plants and parlor palms are often recommended, and so are herbs such as basil and rosemary. Check the ASPCA’s list before you buy, because plant names are not always clear and the same plant can be sold under different names. A plant that is safe for one pet may not be safe for another, so check the list for each animal you have.
What to bring to the vet
Put together a short note before you leave for the vet, and bring the packaging or label if you have it. Include the name of the plant, the part eaten, the amount, the time, the pet’s weight and age, and any medicines the pet takes. If there was vomit or stool, bring a sample in a sealed bag. This information lets the vet act faster.
The numbers to save
Save these numbers in your phone now, before you need them.
- In the United States: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435, and the Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661. Both may charge a fee for the consultation.
- Outside the United States: your local vet’s emergency line, or the nearest emergency animal hospital. Check the number now, because the middle of an emergency is the wrong time to search for it.
After the emergency
Once the pet is treated and recovering, remove the plant from the house, or move it to a room the pet cannot enter. Keep the plant’s name and the treatment notes, and tell the vet about any other plants in the house, because pets that eat one plant often investigate others. A follow-up visit is often needed for some poisonings, particularly those affecting the kidneys or the liver.
