The following is a list of common household plants, fruits, and vegetables that can cause sickness or even death in cats and/or dogs, along with the symptoms and other conditions that might result.
If you suspect your pet has ingested any of the following, call us immediately at (561) 627-7688. For after-hours cases, see our list of emergency pet clinics.
Aloe vera — vomiting, depression, diarrhea, anorexia, tremors, change in urine color
Amaryllis — vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, excessive drooling, anorexia, tremors
Asian lily — vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, kidney failure. (Cats only species known to be affected.)
Avocado — vomiting, diarrhea, death, inflammation of mammary glands (rabbits, goats, cattle, horses), cardiac failure (goats)
Azalea — vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, weakness, coma, hypotension, central nervous system depression, cardiovascular collapse
Bird of paradise — gastrointestinal disorders such as vomiting and diarrhea
Branching ivy — gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, hyperactivity, breathing difficulty, coma, fever, excessive thirst, dilated pupils, muscular weakness
Buckeye — severe gastroenteritis, depression or hyperexcitability, dilated pupils, comas
Caladium — intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Calla lily — intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Christmas rose — abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, convulsions, delirium
Clematis — vomiting, excessive drooling, diarrhea, oral ulcers, dermatitis
Cornstalk — Cats: dilated pupils, breathing difficulty, abdominal pain, increased heart rate and drooling. Cats and dogs: vomiting, depression, loss of appetite, drooling, weakness
Daffodil — severe gastrointestinal disorders, convulsions, shivering, hypotension, dermatitis, muscular tremors, cardiac arrhythmias
Day lily — vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, kidney failure. (Cats only species known to be affected.)
Devil’s ivy — intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Easter lily — vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, kidney failure. (Cats only species known to be affected.)
Elephant ears — intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
English ivy — gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, hyperactivity, difficulty breathing, coma, fever, excessive thirst, dilated pupils, muscular weakness, poor coordination
Fiddle-leaf philodendron — oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Flamingo plant — intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Florida beauty — Cats: dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, increased heart rate. Cats and dogs: loss of appetite, drooling, vomiting, depression, weakness.
Fox glove — cardiac arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure, death
Glacier ivy — gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, hyperactivity, difficulty breathing, coma, fever, excessive thirst, dilated pupils, muscular weakness, loss of coordination
Gladiolas — vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, diarrhea (occasionally with blood), excessive drooling, abdominal pain
Glory lily — oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, kidney and liver damage, bone marrow suppression
Golden porthos — oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Heartleaf philodendron — oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Holly — intense vomiting and diarrhea, depression
Hurricane plant — intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Hydrangea — vomiting, depression, anorexia, diarrhea, increased heart rate, increased body temperature
Iris — vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, diarrhea (occasionally with blood), excessive drooling, abdominal pain
Japanese show lily — vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, kidney failure. (Cats only species known to be affected.)
Kalanchoe — vomiting, diarrhea
Lace fern — allergic dermatitis with repeated dermal exposure. Berry ingestion could result in gastric upset (vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea).
Lily of the valley — poor coordination, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmias, death
Macadamia nut — depression, hyperthermia, weakness, muscular stiffness, vomiting, tremors, increased heart rate. (Dogs only species known to be affected.)
Marijuana — prolonged central nervous system depression, respiratory depression, weakness, poor coordination, sedation, sometimes hyper-excitations
Mistletoe — gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular collapse, difficulty breathing, reduced heart rate, erratic behavior
Morning glory — hallucinations, diarrhea
Narcissus — severe gastrointestinal disorders, convulsions, shivering, hypotension, dermatitis, muscular tremors, cardiac arrhythmias
Needlepoint ivy — gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, hyperactivity, breathing difficulty, coma, fever, excessive thirst, dilated pupils, muscular weakness, poor coordination
Oleander — vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac abnormalities, decreased body temperature, death
Onion — gastrointestinal upset, hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia, and hemoglobinuria. (Cats are more sensitive than dogs.)
Peace lily — intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Red-margined dracaena — Cats: dilated pupils, breathing difficulty, abdominal pain, increased heart rate. Cats and dogs: vomiting, depression, loss of appetite, drooling, poor coordination, weakness
Rhododendron — vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, weakness, hypotension, central nervous system depression, cardiovascular collapse, death
Sago palm — vomiting, dark feces, icterus, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, death
Sweetheart ivy — gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, hyperactivity, breathing difficulty, coma, fever, excessive thirst, dilated pupils, muscular weakness, poor coordination
Tiger lily — vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, kidney failure. (Cats only species known to be affected.)
Tomato plant (green parts only) — excessive drooling, loss of appetite, severe gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, drowsiness, central nervous system depression, confusion, behavioral change, weakness, dilated pupils, reduced heart rate