Toxic Plants for Pets — UK Guide

Most Dangerous Plants for Dogs

The highest-priority garden and wild-plant hazards for dogs in the UK include foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), yew (Taxus species), oleander (Nerium oleander), laburnum (Laburnum species), azalea and rhododendron (Rhododendron species), autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), hemlock (Conium maculatum), ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris), and delphinium or larkspur (Delphinium species). Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) also belongs on this list: leaves, seeds, and cut or wilted hedge material can contain cyanogenic glycosides that release hydrogen cyanide when chewed.

Bulbs and plant material from daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, crocuses, bluebells, and lilies can cause illness, while rhubarb leaves, potato plants, tomato plants, holly, ivy, mistletoe, privet, rowan, hydrangea, wisteria, and poisonous fungi are additional UK risks. Sycamore seeds (Acer pseudoplatanus) are an important seasonal hazard mainly recognised in horses, and blue-green algae in ponds and slow-moving water can cause rapid death in dogs.

Most Dangerous Plants for Cats

Cats are famously selective in what they eat, but their grooming behaviour means they can ingest toxic pollen simply by brushing against a plant and then licking their fur. True lilies (Lilium species) and daylilies (Hemerocallis species) are the most dangerous plants for cats — even a tiny amount of pollen can cause acute kidney failure that is fatal within 72 hours without emergency treatment.

Other high-risk plants for cats include: lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), which contains cardiac glycosides; autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale); oleander (Nerium oleander); yew; and all members of the Dieffenbachia (dumb cane) family, which cause severe oral pain and swelling. Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum), while not causing kidney failure, contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense mouth irritation.

Most Dangerous Plants for Rabbits and Small Pets

Rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small herbivores are at particular risk from toxic plants because they graze continuously and may consume plants that dogs or cats would leave alone. Highly toxic plants for rabbits include: foxglove, ragwort, deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), hemlock (Conium maculatum), privet (Ligustrum species), rhubarb leaves (contain oxalic acid), elder (Sambucus nigra) leaves and unripe berries, and all Crocus species.

Poppy (Papaver species), buttercup (Ranunculus species), and bracken fern are also toxic in quantity. When creating outdoor runs or grazing areas, always survey the area carefully and remove or fence off any toxic plants before allowing small pets access.

Seasonal and Festive Plant Hazards

Certain times of year bring additional plant hazards into the home. At Christmas, poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), mistletoe (Viscum album), and holly (Ilex aquifolium) berries all pose risks to pets — poinsettia causes GI irritation, while mistletoe and holly berries can cause more serious cardiovascular and neurological effects. Christmas trees shed needles that are mildly toxic if ingested in quantity.

At Easter, daffodils and tulips are commonly brought into the home as bulbs and cut flowers — both can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and cardiac arrhythmias. In spring, bluebells, which carpet UK woodland floors, are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Always check any new plant before bringing it into a pet-friendly home.

What to Do If Your Pet Eats a Plant

If you suspect your pet has eaten a toxic plant, act promptly. Try to identify the plant — a photo helps enormously — and contact your vet or the Animal Poison Line (01202 509 000, charges apply) immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to develop; early intervention is far more effective than treatment once toxicity has taken hold.

For cats that may have been exposed to lily pollen, even without confirmed ingestion, seek veterinary advice immediately as a precaution. Bring a sample or photo of the plant, and note the approximate time of exposure and any symptoms already present. Never attempt home remedies or induce vomiting at home without veterinary guidance.

UK dog toxic-plant index

This is a high-priority index of plant groups named in UK veterinary and animal-welfare guidance. It is curated rather than exhaustive: if you cannot identify a plant, keep your dog away and contact your vet or Animal PoisonLine.

Aconite / monkshood (Aconitum species) — parts of concern: All parts. Primary risk: Severe neurological and cardiac toxicity. Amaryllis (Amaryllis / Hippeastrum species) — parts of concern: Bulbs and plant material. Primary risk: Vomiting, diarrhoea and cardiac effects. Alliums (Allium species) — parts of concern: Bulbs, leaves and flowers. Primary risk: Gastrointestinal upset and red-blood-cell damage. Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) — parts of concern: All parts. Primary risk: Severe gastrointestinal and multi-organ toxicity. Azalea and rhododendron (Rhododendron species) — parts of concern: Leaves, flowers, nectar and plant material. Primary risk: Vomiting, weakness, breathing difficulty and heart effects. Bluebells (Hyacinthoides species) — parts of concern: Bulbs and plant material. Primary risk: Vomiting, diarrhoea and possible cardiac effects. Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) — parts of concern: Repeated or large ingestion. Primary risk: Vitamin deficiency, bleeding and gastrointestinal effects. Buttercups (Ranunculus species) — parts of concern: Fresh plant sap and plant material. Primary risk: Mouth and gastrointestinal irritation. Cherry laurel and other laurels (Prunus laurocerasus and related Prunus species) — parts of concern: Leaves, seeds/stones and cut or wilted material. Primary risk: Cyanogenic glycosides can release hydrogen cyanide when chewed. Christmas holly (Ilex species) — parts of concern: Berries and leaves. Primary risk: Vomiting, diarrhoea and, after larger exposure, neurological effects. Crocuses (Crocus species) — parts of concern: Corms and plant material. Primary risk: Gastrointestinal upset; autumn crocus is especially dangerous. Cyclamen (Cyclamen species) — parts of concern: Tubers and roots. Primary risk: Severe vomiting and gastrointestinal irritation. Daffodils (Narcissus species) — parts of concern: Bulbs especially, plus leaves, flowers and sap. Primary risk: Vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors and cardiac effects. Delphinium and larkspur (Delphinium species) — parts of concern: All parts. Primary risk: Neuromuscular weakness and potentially fatal heart effects. Dog's mercury (Mercurialis perennis) — parts of concern: All parts. Primary risk: Gastrointestinal and mucous-membrane irritation. Elder (Sambucus nigra) — parts of concern: Leaves, stems and unripe berries. Primary risk: Gastrointestinal upset and toxicity after larger exposure. Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) — parts of concern: All parts. Primary risk: Cardiac glycosides can cause dangerous heart rhythms. Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) — parts of concern: Sap on skin or in the eyes. Primary risk: Severe photosensitive skin burns and eye injury. Hemlock (Conium maculatum) — parts of concern: All parts. Primary risk: Rapid neurological and respiratory toxicity. Horse chestnut / conkers (Aesculus hippocastanum) — parts of concern: Conkers and plant material. Primary risk: Gastrointestinal and neurological effects; obstruction risk. Hydrangea (Hydrangea species) — parts of concern: Leaves, flowers and stems. Primary risk: Gastrointestinal upset; cyanogenic compounds are a concern after larger ingestion. Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis) — parts of concern: Bulbs especially. Primary risk: Vomiting, diarrhoea and mouth irritation. Ivy (Hedera species) — parts of concern: Leaves and berries. Primary risk: Drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. Laburnum (Laburnum species) — parts of concern: Seeds, pods and plant material. Primary risk: Gastrointestinal and neurological toxicity. Lilies and daylilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) — parts of concern: Flowers, leaves, pollen and bulbs. Primary risk: Vomiting and gastrointestinal toxicity in dogs; a critical kidney emergency in cats. Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) — parts of concern: All parts, especially berries. Primary risk: Cardiac glycosides can cause dangerous heart effects. Mistletoe (Viscum album) — parts of concern: Berries and leaves. Primary risk: Vomiting, diarrhoea and collapse after larger exposure. Morning glory (Ipomoea species) — parts of concern: Seeds and plant material. Primary risk: Gastrointestinal and neurological effects. Nightshade (Atropa and Solanum species) — parts of concern: Berries and leaves. Primary risk: Neurological, gastrointestinal and cardiac toxicity. Oleander (Nerium oleander) — parts of concern: All parts, including foliage and bark. Primary risk: Potentially fatal cardiac glycoside toxicity. Poppies (Papaver species) — parts of concern: Sap, seeds and plant material. Primary risk: Gastrointestinal and neurological effects after larger exposure. Potato plants (Solanum tuberosum) — parts of concern: Green parts, sprouts and green potatoes. Primary risk: Solanine-related gastrointestinal and neurological toxicity. Privet (Ligustrum species) — parts of concern: Leaves and berries. Primary risk: Gastrointestinal upset and toxicity after larger exposure. Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) — parts of concern: All parts, including dried plant in hay. Primary risk: Cumulative liver toxicity. Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) — parts of concern: Leaves. Primary risk: Oxalates can cause gastrointestinal and kidney problems. Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) — parts of concern: Berries and plant material. Primary risk: Gastrointestinal upset after ingestion. Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) — parts of concern: Seeds and plant material. Primary risk: Gastrointestinal and neurological effects. Tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) — parts of concern: Leaves, stems and unripe fruit. Primary risk: Gastrointestinal and neurological effects. Tulips (Tulipa species) — parts of concern: Bulbs especially, plus leaves and flowers. Primary risk: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea and mouth irritation. Wisteria (Wisteria species) — parts of concern: Seeds and pods. Primary risk: Lectins can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. Yew (Taxus baccata and related species) — parts of concern: All parts; seeds are inside the red arils. Primary risk: Taxines can cause sudden, potentially fatal cardiac effects.

UK sources and further reading

PDSA — Which plants are poisonous to pets?: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/all-pets/poisonous-plants | The Royal Kennel Club — Poisons in your garden: https://www.royalkennelclub.com/health-and-dog-care/health-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/poisons-in-your-garden | Battersea — Plants that are poisonous to dogs: https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/dog-advice/poisonous-plants-for-dogs