Dangerous Plants for Dogs – Garden, House & Walk
Dangerous Garden Plants
Oleander (Nerium oleander)
Effect: Contains cardiac glycosides like oleandrin with strong cardiotoxic effects.
Symptoms: Even a few leaves can cause nausea, severe vomiting, diarrhea, increased salivation, and life-threatening heart rhythm disorders up to cardiac arrest.
Contact: Oral ingestion of leaves or flowers; the milky plant sap can irritate skin and mucous membranes.
Degree of danger: Very high – a few grams can be fatal.
First aid: Remove plant parts, rinse mouth, contact a vet immediately. Do not induce vomiting without veterinary consultation.
Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.)
Effect: Contains grayanotoxins that affect the CNS and cardiovascular system.
Symptoms: Increased salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, weakness, coordination disorders, heart rhythm disorders.
Contact: All plant parts are toxic, including pollen/nectar.
Degree of danger: High – particularly dangerous for small dogs.
First aid: See a vet immediately. Keep the dog calm, away from the ground and plants.
Other Dangerous Garden Plants
Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
Effect: Contains lectins, alkaloids, and glycosides with neurotoxic and cardiotoxic effects.
Symptoms: Itching, nausea, severe vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, shortness of breath, cardiac arrest.
Contact: Leaves, seeds, and bark are toxic; often by chewing on flowers or pods.
Degree of danger: Very high – even skin contact can be dangerous.
First aid: Wash skin, if ingested, seek vet immediately. Do not induce vomiting independently.
Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
Effect: Contains prunasin, which releases hydrocyanic acid in the stomach.
Symptoms: Skin irritation, salivation, vomiting, shortness of breath, respiratory paralysis, dilated pupils.
Contact: All plant parts are toxic, especially leaves and berries.
Degree of danger: High to very high.
First aid: Remove plant parts, keep dog calm, vet immediately. No dairy products!
Laburnum (Laburnum anagyroides)
Effect: Contains cytisine and hydrocyanic acid glycosides.
Symptoms: Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, paralysis, shortness of breath, cardiac arrest.
Contact: Especially toxic: seeds and seed pods.
Degree of danger: Very high – even a few seeds can be fatal.
First aid: See a vet immediately. No self-treatment!
Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
Effect: Alkaloids like buxine have nerve-paralyzing and hypotensive effects.
Symptoms: Salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, cramps, paralysis, cardiac arrest.
Contact: Especially toxic: leaves and bark.
Degree of danger: High.
First aid: See a vet immediately. Do not induce vomiting independently.
Dangerous Houseplants
Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia seguine)
Effect: Oxalic acid, saponins, and needle-like calcium oxalate crystals severely irritate mucous membranes.
Symptoms: Severe burning, swelling, shortness of breath, salivation, difficulty swallowing.
Contact: Biting off leaves or contact with plant sap.
Degree of danger: Very high.
First aid: Rinse mouth, offer water, keep calm, vet immediately.
Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)
Effect: Contains calcium oxalate crystals with a strong irritating effect.
Symptoms: Burning in the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, in severe cases tremors or cramps.
Contact: By chewing on leaves.
Degree of danger: High.
First aid: Rinse mouth, contact vet.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Effect: Contains toxins like chlorogenic acid, which are irritating.
Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, in severe cases tremors, cramps.
Contact: Ingestion by biting on leaves or bark.
Degree of danger: Moderate to high.
First aid: Contact vet, induce vomiting only on instruction.
Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum)
Effect: Calcium oxalate crystals severely irritate mucous membranes.
Symptoms: Burning, salivation, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath.
Contact: Chewing on leaves or contact with sap.
Degree of danger: High.
First aid: Rinse mouth, cool affected areas, see vet.
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
Effect: Triterpenes in the milky sap irritate skin, stomach, and kidneys.
Symptoms: Skin irritations, vomiting, diarrhea, in large quantities kidney failure.
Contact: Especially by licking the milky sap.
Degree of danger: Moderate to high.
First aid: Clean the affected area, contact vet.
Dangerous Wild Plants (During Walks)
Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna)
Effect: Tropane alkaloids like atropine and scopolamine are extremely toxic.
Symptoms: Excitation, fever, rapid heart rate, cramps, paralysis, respiratory arrest.
Contact: Especially toxic: shiny black berries.
Degree of danger: Very high.
First aid: Vet immediately. No self-treatment!
Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
Effect: Coniine leads to muscle and respiratory paralysis.
Symptoms: Tremors, paralysis, cramps, shortness of breath.
Contact: All plant parts are extremely toxic.
Degree of danger: Very high.
First aid: Vet immediately. Do not induce vomiting!
Arum Lily (Arum maculatum)
Effect: Oxalic acid and saponins cause severe irritation.
Symptoms: Burning, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea.
Contact: Especially dangerous: berries in autumn.
Degree of danger: High.
First aid: Rinse mouth, cool, vet.
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Effect: Contains strong cardiac glycosides.
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, movement disorders, cardiac arrest.
Contact: All plant parts are toxic.
Degree of danger: Very high.
First aid: Vet immediately!
Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
Effect: Furocoumarins cause phototoxic reactions.
Symptoms: Skin burns, blisters, shortness of breath, allergic reactions.
Contact: Skin contact with sap under UV light.
Degree of danger: Moderate to high.
First aid: Wash, cool, if swelling occurs, see vet.
Spindle Tree (Euonymus europaeus)
Effect: Contains cardiac and neurotoxins, especially in the fruits.
Symptoms: Vomiting, bloody diarrhea, coordination disorders, coma.
Contact: Especially dangerous: pink-orange fruits.
Degree of danger: High.
First aid: Vet immediately.
