Plants make a home feel welcoming, but the dynamic duo of pets and plants in the same space often leads to unexpected chaos. The dog sneaks a little leafy snack. The cat thinks that your floor plant makes a great potted potty. So, you may be asking, can pets and plants really cohabitate peaceably? The answer is a cautious yes. Messes are a nuisance, but plant toxicity is a dire concern. 

Here, we’ll let you know which plants can give you peace of mind, which to stay away from, and what symptoms to look out for if you suspect your pet ate a toxic plant. We can’t guarantee they won’t dig into the soil or knock one over, but we can help you keep toxic plants out of your home. 

Remember, if your pet needs emergency care from ingesting a toxic plant, VEG ER for Pets emergency animal hospitals are open 24 hours every day to help. 

Know which flowers are pet-safe and which are toxic to your pet. VEG ER for Pets is open 24 hours every day if your pet has an interaction with a toxic plant.

Play it safe with pet-friendly, non-toxic plants for your home and yard

The good news is you don’t have to choose between your plants and pets. There are plenty of beautiful houseplants and garden plants that are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. While pets shouldn’t treat plants like a salad bar, these varieties are far less likely to cause poisoning if they take a curious nibble:

Pet-safe plants for your home

• Herbs: Common kitchen herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley, and rosemary are generally safe for pets. Just skip chives, onions, mint and oregano, which can cause issues for your four-legged friends.

• Orchids: Pretty and pet-friendly, too. 

• Ponytail palms: These low-maintenance plants are pet-safe, though their long, flowing leaves may tempt playful paws.

• Spider plants: Popular and safe, even if your curious pet takes a little nibble. 

• Succulents: Choose wisely; some are safe, like air plants, echeveria and haworthia. Beware of sharp or spiked leaves that can be a choking hazard. 

• Venus fly traps: Despite their reputation, they’re safe around pets, unless of course your pet is indeed a fly. 

Other common pet-friendly indoor and outdoor plants

Non-Toxic Indoor Plants	Non-Toxic Garden/Yard Plants
African Violet	Camellias
Areca Palm	Fuchsia
Bird's Nest Fern	Magnolia
Boston Fern	Marigold
Calahea	Nasturtiums
Christmas Cactus	Petunias
Parlor Palm	Roses
Peperomia	Snapdragons
Prayer Plant	Sunflowers
Swedish Ivy	Zinnias

Quick Tip for Pet Owners

Even non-toxic plants can cause mild digestive issues if eaten in large amounts. If your pet shows vomiting, drooling, weakness or unusual behavioral symptoms after chewing a plant, contact VEG emergency animal hospital immediately!

Why some plants are toxic to pets

Unfortunately, not all plants are safe for curious paws and noses. While many are pet-friendly, others can be surprisingly dangerous. In fact, different plants may have different reactions in your pet. Some contain compounds that irritate the mouth and stomach, while others can interfere with the nervous system, heart, or kidneys.

Read on for reasons why some of the most common toxic plants can cause unexpected chaos within your pets.   

Signs of plant poisoning in pets and common toxic plants to avoid

Knowing which plants to avoid can help prevent a dangerous situation before it even starts. And knowing which symptoms to look out for can help you act quickly and get your pet the emergency care they need.  

Some plants that are toxic to pets

• Azaleas and Rhododendrons contain toxins called grayanotoxins, which affect the way nerve and muscle cells function. Even small amounts can cause illness in pets.

• Easter lilies (and other true lilies) including Easter lilies, tiger lilies, and daylilies are extremely toxic to cats. All parts of certain lilies — flowers, leaves, stems, pollen — can cause poisoning.

• Sago palm contains cycasin, a toxin that’s extremely poisonous, especially to dogs. It can cause severe liver damage and can be life-threatening even in small amounts. Seeking immediate veterinary care is critical if your pet interacts with sago palm.

• Hydrangeas contain compounds related to cyanogenic glycosides, which can interfere with oxygen use in cells. Ingestion can cause noticeable illness in pets.

• Daffodils contain toxic compounds such as lycorine, especially concentrated in the plant’s bulbs. Pets digging in gardens may ingest bulbs accidentally.

• Tulips contain toxins called tulipalin A and B, which are most concentrated in the bulbs. Dogs are especially at risk if they dig up and chew bulbs in your yard. 

Common toxic plants and symptoms of pet poisoning

Plant	Possible symptoms
Aloe Vera	Diarrhea, lethargy, vomiting
Azaleas / Rhododendrons	Drooling, staggering gait (walking as if drunk), vomiting, weakness
Chrysanthemums	Coordination problems, drooling, vomiting
Daffodils	Diarrhea, seizure, tremors, vomiting
English Ivy	Abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting
Hyacinths	Diarrhea, drooling, tremors, vomiting
Jade Plant	Coordination problems, lethargy, vomiting
Lilies (extremely toxic, esp. to cats)	Kidney damage, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting
Monstera (Swiss Cheese Plant)	Drooling, mouth irritation, vomiting
Pothos (Devil's Ivy)	Burning mouth, drooling, vomiting
Sago Palm	Diarrhea, falling over, liver failure, neurological signs like seizure, vomiting
Tulips	Diarrhea, drooling, seizures, vomiting

Important Tip for Pet-Parents:

If you suspect your pet has ingested or been exposed to plant-poisoning, take a photo of the plant to ensure proper identification and then call VEG animal hospital immediately. 

6 ways to pet-proof your plants

Tired of coming home and finding your houseplants knocked over? Worried if your pet ate a plant? If you enjoy keeping plants but share your home with curious pets, a few simple precautions can help prevent accidental plant poisoning: 

1. Place Plants Out of Reach

• Use hanging planters or ceiling hooks for trailing plants

• Place plants on high shelves or plant stands that pets cannot easily reach

Remember vertical reach is impressive in cats—what seems out of reach may still be accessible with a jump.

2. Use Physical Barriers

• Plant terrariums or glass enclosures for smaller plants

• Keep garden beds protected with raised planters or low fencing 

3. Train Pets to Avoid Plants

• Gently redirect your pet with clear cues such as “leave it” or “no” when they approach/chew a plant

• Offer a toy or treat as a distraction 

4. Provide Safe Alternatives for Chewing

• Offer pet-safe chew alternatives  

• Rotate toys regularly so they remain interesting

5. Know Your Plants

• Identify plants before bringing them home

• Avoid plants if you are unsure whether they are toxic

• When in doubt, choose pet-friendly plants 

6. Avoid toxic flower bouquets

• Ask the florist for pet-safe flowers (and no lilies!) when ordering a bouquet for yourself or any pet-parent.

What should you do if your pet eats a poisonous plant? Read on for the steps to take and remember VEG emergency vets are always here to help!

What to do if you pet eats a toxic plant

There are clear steps to take if you see your pet eating a plant. Assess what was eaten and how much – to help the vet determine the level of risk.

• Safely remove any plant matter from your pet’s mouth – take care not to cause stress or injury 

• Click a photo of the plant to share with the vet

• Make note of symptoms – drooling, vomiting, lethargy, tremors or other unusual behavior

• Call poison control – contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Fees may apply.

• Call VEG emergency hospital and let them know you are on the way 

Even if they’re not showing symptoms, any known ingestion of a toxic plant needs to be assessed by a vet.

VEG ER for Pets animal hospital is open 24/7 for pet emergencies

Call or walk in; no appointments needed or taken.

At VEG, you stay with your pet, so you can expect to see every step of care. For plant poisonings, we often induce vomiting if it’s early enough (before signs have started).

Pet owners can expect hospitalization with fluids, and we’ll monitor your pet and provide symptom-specific medications and care, depending on the toxin. 

Contact VEG emergency pet hospital if your pet needs urgent care. We have locations all over the country with emergency vets available 24/7 to help keep curious paws safe.