*Poisonous Plants and Foods

Here is a quick reference guide to the more common house and garden plants and foods that are toxic to most all animals and children. If you have these plants or foods, you need not dispose of them- just keep them away from pets and children.

C = cardiovascular toxin
GI = gastrointestinal toxin
R = respitory toxin
N = neurological toxin
KO = kidney/organ failure
* = substance is especially dangerous and can be fatal

Alcohol (all beverages, ethanol, methanol, isopropyl) - N
Almonds* (kernel in the pit contains cyanide) - R, *
Amaryllis bulb* - GI, N, *
Anthurium* - KO, *
Apricot (kernel in the pit contains cyanide) - R, *
Autumn crocus* (colchicum autmnale) - GI, C, VERY POISONOUS, *
Avocado* (leaves, seeds, stem, skin) - C, FATAL TO BIRDS, KO, *
Azalea (entire rhododendron family) - C, GI, N
Begonia* - KO, *
Bittersweet - GI
Bleeding heart* - C, *
Boxwood - GI
Braken fern - N
Buckeye - GI, N
Buttercup (ranunculus) - GI
Caffeine - GI, N
Caladium* - KO, *
Calla lily* - KO, *
Castor bean* (can be fatal if chewed) - GI, C, N, *
Cherry (kernel in the pit contains cyanide) - R
Chinese sacred or heavenly bamboo* - R, contains cyanide, *
Chocolate* - GI, N, *
Choke cherry, unripe berries* - R, contains cyanide, *
Chrysanthemum (a natural source of pyrethrins) - GI, N
Clematis - GI
Crocus bulb - GI, N
Croton (Codiaeum sp.) - GI
Cyclamen bulb - GI
Delphinium, larkspur, monkshood* - N, *
Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia)* - GI, R,severe mouth swelling, *
Elderberry, unripe berries* - R, contains cyanide, *
English ivy ( all hedera species of ivy) - GI
Fig (ficus) - General allergan, dermatitis
Four-o'clocks (mirabilis) - GI
Foxglove (digitalis)* - C, can be fatal, *
Garlic* (raw or spoiled) - GI, *
Hyacinth bulbs - GI
Hydrangea* - R, contains cyanide, *
Holly berries - GI
Iris corms - GI
Jack-in-the-pulpit* - KO, *
Jimson weed* - R, *
Kalanchoe* - C, can be fatal, *
Lantana* - KO (liver failure), *
Lily (bulbs of most species) - GI
Lily-of-the-valley* - C, can be fatal, *
Lupine species - N
Marijuana or hemp (cannabis)* - N, GI, can be fatal, *
Milkweed* - C, *
Mistletoe berries* - N, C, shock, *
Morning glory* - N, seeds toxic to birds, *
Mountain laurel - C
Narcissus, daffodil - GI
Oak (remove bark for use as a bird perch)* - KO, *
Oleander* - C, very poisonous, can be fatal, *
Onions (raw or spoiled)* - GI, *
Peach (kernel in the pit contains cyanide) - R, *
Pencil cactus/plant (euphorbia sp.)* - GI, dermatitis, *
Philodendron (all species)* - KO, *
Poinsettia (many hybrids, avoid them all) - GI, dermatitis
Potato (leaves and stem) - GI, N
Rhubarb leaves* - KO, *
Rosary pea (arbus sp.)* - GI, C, N, can be fatal if chewed, *
Scheffelera (umbrella plant)* - KO, *
Shamrock (oxalis sp.)* - KO, *
Spurge (euphorbia sp.) - GI
Tomatoes (leaves and stem) - GI, N
Yew* - C, fatal to most animals, *

Return to Pet Information Index:

© 2009. RV VETS. All rights reserved.