Many plants are poisonous to animals. The following are the more common plants that can be poisonous to pets.
Houseplants and Ornamentals
Pets often chew on or ingest household plants, which can result in poisoning ( see Table: Poisonous Houseplants and Ornamentals). Houseplants vary in their degree of toxicity. Inquisitive puppies and kittens tend to mouth or chew almost everything. Many pets become bored or restless if left alone or confined for long periods, and chewing on objects for relief is common. Pets of all ages explore changes in their environment. For example, pets commonly chew the leaves or ripe berries of plants that are placed in the home during holidays.
Poisonous Houseplants and Ornamentals
Common Name | Scientific Name (Family) | Toxic Parts and Effects | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Autumn crocus, Crocus, Fall crocus, Meadow saffron, Wonder bulb | Colchicum autumnale (Liliaceae, Colchicaceae) | Entire plant is toxic. Milk of lactating animals is a major excretory pathway. Observed signs are thirst, difficult swallowing, abdominal pain, profuse vomiting and diarrhea, weakness, and shock within hours of ingestion. Death from respiratory failure. | Prolonged course due to slow excretion of the toxin. Flush out stomach contents; supportive care for dehydration and electrolyte losses (fluid therapy); central nervous system, circulatory, and respiratory disturbances. Analgesics and atropine recommended for abdominal pain and diarrhea. |
Avocado pear, Alligator pear | Persea americana (Lauraceae) | All above-ground parts (leaves in particular) reported toxic to cattle, horses, goats, rabbits, canaries, ostriches, and fish. Toxicity associated with loss of milk production (cattle, rabbits, goats), lung congestion, irregular heart beat, swelling of the jaw, sudden death (rabbits, caged birds, goats), respiratory distress, generalized congestion, subcutaneous swelling, and fluid around the heart (suggestive of cardiac failure, caged birds). In caged birds, signs may be seen within 24 hours (usually after 12 or more hours), with death 1 to 2 days after exposure. | Primarily symptomatic and supportive ( See also heading on page Avocado) |
Azalea, Rhododendron | Rhododendron species (Ericaceae) | Entire plant, including pollen and nectar. Within hours of ingestion of toxic dose (1 gram/kilogram), drooling, tearing, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, convulsions, coma, and death. Signs may last several days, but toxin is not cumulative. | Supportive; flush out stomach contents, activated charcoal, saline cathartics, calcium injection, and antibiotics to control possible pneumonia suggested. |
Barbados aloe, Curacao aloe | Aloe Barbadensis (Liliaceae) | Latex of the leaves; higher concentrations in younger leaves. Upon eating, causes abrupt, severe diarrhea and/or low blood sugar, with vomiting in some cases. | Supportive; control diarrhea and fluid loss. |
Caladium, Fancy leaf caladium, Angel wings | Caladium species (Araceae) | Entire plant is toxic. Ingestion causes immediate intense pain, irritation to mucous membranes, excess drooling, swollen tongue and pharynx, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. Pets’ access to plant associated with rhizomes brought indoors for winter storage. | Supportive |
Century plant, American aloe | Agave americana (Agavaceae) | Leaves, seeds, and sap. Upon eating, causes skin and mouth irritation and swelling. | Supportive |
Cherry pepper, Chili pepper, Ornamental pepper, Capsicum | Capsicum annuum (Solanaceae) | Capsaicinoids (capsaicin) in the mature fruits, solanine and scopoletin in foliage; irritating to the stomach and intestinal tract, with vomiting and diarrhea. Not likely to be lethal. | Supportive; irritation relief—flush with cool water, topical or oral mineral or vegetable oil. Rarely topical anesthetics. |
Chinese evergreen, Painted drop tongue | Aglaonema modestum (Araceae) | Entire plant. Upon eating, causes mouth irritation and swelling. | Supportive |
Coontie, Florida arrowroot, Seminole bread, Cycad | Zamia pumila (Zamiaceae) | Leaves, seeds, and stem. Ingestion associated with liver and stomach and intestinal disturbances and incoordination. Signs are persistent vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, depression, and muscular paralysis. | No specific therapy; intravenous fluids and supportive care recommended. |
Cyclamen, Snowbread, Shooting star | Cyclamen species (Primulaceae) | Tuberous rhizomes cause stomach and intestine irritation, thereby increasing absorption and severe toxicity. Reduced appetite, diarrhea, convulsions, and paralysis can occur. Pets have greater access to these plants over winter months (both pets and plants are indoors). | Supportive |
Daffodils | Narcissus species (Amaryllidaceae) | Same as for hyacinths (see below). | Same as for hyacinths (see below). |
Dragon tree | Dracaena species (Agavaceae) | Leaves. Vomiting and severe diarrhea indicative of stomach and intestinal irritation expected. No cases have been reported. | Supportive, to correct fluid and electrolyte (salt) imbalance. |
Dumbcane | Dieffenbachia species (Araceae) | Entire plant, including sap. On ingestion, immediate intense pain, burning, and inflammation of mouth and throat, no appetite, vomiting, and possibly diarrhea, with tongue extended, head shaking, excessive drooling, and difficulty breathing. Immediate pain limits amount consumed. Death infrequent. | Supportive |
Easter lily, Trumpet lily | Lilium longiflorum; L. tigrinum (Liliaceae) | Entire plant is toxic. Kidney system failure in cats 2 to 4 days post-ingestion. Not reported toxic to other species. Vomiting, depression, loss of appetite within 12 hours post-ingestion. | Emetics (induce vomiting), activated charcoal, saline cathartic, and nursing care—as for renal failure—within hours of ingestion. Delayed treatment is associated with poor prognosis. |
English holly, European holly | Ilex aquifolium (Aquifoliaceae) | Leaves, fruits, and seeds. Abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea seen after ingestion of 2 or more berries. Death is rare. | Supportive (at best) |
Foxglove | Digitalis purpurea (Scrophulariacae) | Entire plant is toxic. Generally, sudden abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, frequent urination, irregular slow pulse, tremors, convulsions, and rarely death. | Supportive |
Hyacinths | Hyacinthus species (Liliaceae) | Bulbs. After ingestion of toxic dose (bulbs), vomiting, diarrhea, and rare deaths reported. Bulbs in storage may be accessible to pets. | Supportive |
Jerusalem cherry | Solanum pseudocapsicum (Solanaceae) | Leaves and fruits. Loss of appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea with blood, drooling, progressive weakness or paralysis, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, circulatory collapse, dilated pupils, and convulsions reported. | Supportive; flush out stomach contents, activated charcoal, electrolytes and fluids, and anticonvulsants suggested. |
Kalanchoe, Air-plant, Cathedral-bells | Kalanchoe species (Crassulaceae) | Leaves. Within hours of ingesting toxic dose, depression, rapid breathing, teeth grinding, lack of coordination, paralysis, muscle spasms (rabbit), and death (rat). | Supportive; atropine has been effective in rabbits. |
Lily-of-the-valley, Conval lily, Mayflower | Convallaria majalis (Liliaceae) | Leaves, flowers, rhizome, and water in which flowers have been kept. Variable period before signs arise depending on dose. Stomach and intestinal signs (vomiting, trembling, abdominal pain, diarrhea), progressive heart irregularities, and death. High blood pressure in sudden cases. Inflammation of the stomach and intestine, bleeding of small capillaries throughout. | Aimed at gut decontamination (flushing of stomach contents) and at correcting irregular heart beats and electrolyte (salt) imbalances. Monitoring of EKG and serum potassium necessary. |
Marijuana, Mary Jane, Grass, Pot, Hashish, Indian hemp, Reefer, Weed | Cannabis sativa (Cannabaceae) | Leaves, stems, and flower buds of mature plants or edible products intended for people that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Lethal dose for dogs is more than 3 grams/kilogram body weight. Pets’ exposure usually from accidental access to this plant being used for medical or recreational uses by owner. Pets (dogs primarily) show incoordination, vomiting, dilated pupils, prolonged depression, excessive or irregular heartbeats, drooling, hyperexcitability, tremors, and fever. Death results when vital central nervous system regulatory centers are severely depressed. | Remove animal from source. Effectiveness of emetics limited by antiemetic effect of THC (the toxic compound in the plant). Oral tannic acid, activated charcoal followed by saline cathartics have been recommended. Stimulants (cardiac and respiratory) along with supportive therapy essential in severely depressed animals. Recovery slow at best ( See also heading on page Marijuana). |
Mistletoe | Phoradendron flavescens (Viscaceae) | Entire plant is toxic. Vomiting, profuse diarrhea, dilated pupils, rapid labored breathing, shock, and death from cardiovascular collapse within hours of ingesting toxic dose. | Supportive |
Philodendron | Philodendron species (Araceae) | Entire plant is toxic. On ingestion, immediate pain, local irritation to mucous membranes, excessive drooling, swollen tongue and pharynx, difficulty breathing, and kidney system failure. Excitability, nervous spasms, convulsions, and occasional brain swelling reported in cats. | Supportive |
Poinsettia, Christmas flower, Christmas star | Euphorbia pulcherrima (Euphorbiaceae) | Milky sap. Irritates mucous membranes and causes excessive drooling and vomiting but not death. | Supportive; flush out stomach contents, activated charcoal, and saline cathartics should be considered. |
Sansevieria, Snake plant, Mother-in-law’s tongue | Sansevieria species (Agavaceae) | Leaves and flowers. Vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, and rupture of red blood cells related to stomach and intestinal activity of these compounds. | Supportive; fluids and electrolytes may be necessary. |
Schefflera, Umbrella tree | Schefflera species (Araliaceae) | Leaves. Mucous membrane irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, vomiting, and if severe enough, diarrhea. | Supportive |
Spider plant, St. Bernard’s lily, Airplane plant | Chlorophytum species (Liliaceae) | Leaves and plantlets. Vomiting, drooling, retching, and varying degrees of loss of appetite seen in cats within hours of ingestion. Deaths and diarrhea not reported. | Supportive |
Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow, Lady-of-the-night | Brunfelsia pauciflora floribunda (Solanaceae) | Flowers, leaves, bark, and roots. Upon eating, animals show abnormal heart rhythms, dry mouth, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, tremors, depression, urinary retention, and sometimes coma (deep sedation). Not reported to cause death. | In severely depressed animals, stimulants (respiratory and cardiac), along with supportive therapy recommended. |
Yew | Taxus species (Taxaceae) | Entire plant except the fleshy aril (red covering of the seeds). Nervousness, trembling, incoordination, difficulty breathing, collapse; slowing of heartbeats progressing to the heart stopping and death without struggle. Empty right side of heart; dark, tarry blood in left side of heart. | Supportive at best; usually futile once signs appear. Atropine may be helpful. |
Range Plants of Temperate North America
Poisonous range plants can affect animals in many ways, including longterm illness and debilitation, decreased weight gain, reproductive problems, and death ( see Table: Poisonous Range Plants of Temperate North America). Poisonous plants are an important cause of economic loss to the livestock industry. Due to their diet and grazing habits, horses are much more likely to be poisoned by ingesting range plants than other companion animals.
Most poisonous range plants fall into two general categories: those that are indigenous to a range and increase with heavy grazing and those that invade after overgrazing or disturbance of the land. Poisonous plants are present in most range plant communities, so proper range management is important. Often, animals are poisoned by plants because hunger or other conditions cause them to graze plants that would not be eaten under normal circumstances. Overgrazing, trucking, trailing, corralling, or introducing animals onto a new range tend to induce hunger or change behavior, and poisoning may occur.
Not all poisonous plants taste bad, and they are not found only on overgrazed ranges and pastures. In addition, poisonous plants do not always harm animals when eaten. For example, plants such as lupine and greasewood may be part of an animal’s diet, and the animal is poisoned only when it consumes too much of the plant too fast.
Making a definitive diagnosis of plant poisoning is difficult. It is important to be familiar with the poisonous plants growing in the specific area and the conditions under which animals may be poisoned. A tentative diagnosis is possible if the following information is available: 1) local soil conditions, including deficiencies or excesses of various minerals, 2) the syndromes associated with each of the poisonous plants in the area, 3) the time of year when each plant is most likely to cause problems, 4) the history of the animal(s) over the last 6 to 8 months, and 5) any change of management or environmental condition that may have caused the animal to change its diet or grazing habits.
Poisonous Range Plants of Temperate North America
Common and Scientific Names | Habitat and Distribution | Affected Animal(s) | Toxic Parts and Effects | Comments and Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dangerous Season: Spring and Fall | ||||
Water hemlock; Cicuta species | Open, moist to wet environments; throughout North America | All | Roots, stem base, young leaves. Toxicity retained when dry, except in hay. Rapid onset of signs, with death in 15 to 30 minutes. Drooling, muscular twitching, dilated pupils. Violent convulsions, coma, death. Poisoning in humans common. | Sedatives to control spasm and heart action. Outlook good if alive 2 hours after ingestion. |
Dangerous Season: Spring | ||||
African rue; Peganum harmala | Arid to semiarid ranges; southwest | Horses likely | Seeds, leaves, stems; seeds more toxic. Loss of appetite, hindleg weakness, knuckling of fetlock, listlessness, excess drooling, subnormal temperature, frequent urination. Tissue changes include inflammation of the stomach and intestine, with bleeding on heart and under liver capsule. | Unpalatable. Eaten only under drought conditions. |
Cocklebur; Xanthium species | Fields, waste places, exposed shores of ponds or rivers; throughout North America. Dangerous season spring and occasionally fall. | All animals | Seeds and young seedlings. Loss of appetite, depression, nausea, vomiting, weakness, rapid weak pulse, difficulty breathing, muscle spasms, convulsions. Tissue changes include inflammation of the stomach, intestines, liver, and kidney. | Seedlings or grain contaminated with seeds. Oils and fats given by mouth may be beneficial; warmth, stimulants given in the muscle. |
Death camas; Zygadenus species | Foothill grazing lands, occasionally boggy grasslands, low open woods; throughout North America | Horses | Entire plant. Drooling, vomiting, muscle weakness, incoordination or laying down, fast weak pulse, coma, death. No distinctive tissue changes. | Seeds most toxic. Leaves and stems lose toxicity as plant matures. Atropine and picrotoxin may be effective. |
Oaks; Quercus species | Most deciduous woods; throughout North America | Horses | Young leaves and swollen or sprouting acorns. Loss of appetite, constipation, followed by dark tarry diarrhea, dry muzzle, frequent urination, rapid weak pulse, death. Tissue changes include swelling around the kidneys with inflammation, inflammation of the stomach and intestine. | Diet must consist of more than 50% oak buds and young leaves for a period of time. Kidney failure with diet history diagnostic. Treatment symptomatic. Oral ruminatorics helpful. (Also See also page Quercus Poisoning (Oak Bud Poisoning, Acorn Poisoning).) |
Pokeweed, Poke; Phytolacca americana | Disturbed rich soils such as recent clearings, pastures, waste areas; eastern North America | Horses, people | Entire plant; roots most toxic. Vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, low blood cell counts. Terminal convulsions, death from respiratory failure. Tissue changes include open inflammation of the stomach and intestine, bleeding of the mucosa, dark liver. | Oils and protectants (stomach and intestinal tract). Dilute acetic acid orally, stimulants. Blood transfusion (hemolytic anemia). |
Dangerous Season: Spring and Summer | ||||
Buckeye; Aesculus species | Woods and thickets; eastern US and California | Horses | Entire plant, especially seeds and leaves. Depression, incoordination, twitching, paralysis, inflammation of mucous membranes. | Young shoots and seeds especially poisonous. Stimulants and purgatives. |
Coffeepod, Sicklepod; Cassia obtusifolia | Found in cultivated (corn, soybean, or sorghum) and abandoned fields, along fences, roadsides; naturalized in eastern US | Horses | Toxic principles thought to be same as in Cassia occidentalis. Signs, although similar, less severe with Cassia obtusifolia. | Treatment ineffective in down animals. |
Coffee senna, Coffee weed, Styptic weed, Wild coffee; Cassia occidentalis | Common along roadsides, waste areas and pastures; naturalized in eastern US | Horses, rabbits | Entire plant. Associated with stomach and intestinal dysfunction and degeneration of muscle. No fever, incoordination with diarrhea and coffee-colored urine. Affected animals are unable to stand but eat and are alert shortly before death. High blood pressure frequent. Tissue changes include heart and skeletal muscle degeneration. Congestion, fatty degeneration and tissue death in the liver and kidneys also reported. Death probably due to high blood pressure causing heart failure. | No specific treatment known. Symptomatic and supportive care essential. Although tissue changes are similar to those of vitamin E/selenium deficiency, this therapy is contraindicated. Remove animals from source. |
Fly poison, Staggergrass, Crow poison; Amianthium muscaetoxicum | Open woods, fields, and acid bogs; eastern North America | Horses | Entire plant. Drooling, vomiting, rapid and irregular respiration, weakness, death from respiratory failure. | No practical treatment. Especially dangerous for animals new to pasture. Keep animals well fed. |
Larkspurs; Delphinium species | Either cultivated or wild, usually in open foothills or meadows and among aspen; mostly western. Dangerous season spring and summer, also seeds in fall. | Horses | Entire plant, fresh or dry. Straddled stance, arched back, repeated falling, forelegs first. Constipation, bloat, drooling, vomiting. Death (respiratory and heart failure). Most often no tissue changes. | Young plants and seeds more toxic. Toxicity decreases with maturity. |
Dangerous Season: Summer and Fall | ||||
Black locust, False acacia, Locust tree; Robinia pseudoacacia | Open woods, roadsides, pinelands, on clay soils preferably; eastern US | Horses | Entire plant, although flowers have been suggested as the toxic principles. Diarrhea, loss of appetite, weakness, hind end paralysis, depression, dilated pupils, cold extremities; frequently weak pulse. Death infrequent; recovery period extensive. Tissue changes after death restricted to stomach and intestinal tract. | Laxatives and stimulants suggested. Treatment supportive. |
Dogbanes; Apocynum species | Open woods, roadsides, fields; throughout North America | All | Leaves and stems of green or dry plants. Increased temperature and pulse, dilated pupils, loss of appetite, discolored mucous membranes, cold extremities, death. | Intravenous fluids and stomach protectants suggested. |
Flatweed, Cat’s-ear, Gosmore; Hypochaeris radicata | Native to the Mediterranean and South America; widely distributed in the US, including Pacific, eastern and southeastern states | Horses | Unknown; associated with but not proven cause of a neurologic condition called stringhalt, sudden onset of abnormal gait, knuckling of lower limb joints; paralysis of larynx; recovery possible, but condition could be permanent. | Tranquilizers, sedatives, mephenesin, and thiamine (questionable effectiveness); longterm phenytoin therapy seems helpful. Treatment with baclofen also reported helpful. Surgery reported helpful for gait problems. |
Nightshades, Jerusalem cherry, Potato, Horse nettle, Buffalo bur; Solanum species | Fence rows, waste areas, grain and hay fields; throughout North America | All | Leaves, shoots, and unripe berries. Inflammation of the stomach and intestine with bleeding, weakness, excess drooling, difficulty breathing, trembling, progressive paralysis, laying down, death. | Pilocarpine, physostigmine, gastrointestinal protectants. Seeds may contaminate grain. |
Perilla mint, Beefsteak plant; Perilla frutescens | Ornamental originally from India, escaped to moist pastures, fields, roadsides, and waste places; eastern North America | Horses | Green or dry plant. Signs 2 to 10 days after exposure include difficulty breathing (especially on exhaling), open-mouth breathing, lowered head, reluctance to move, death on exertion. Tissue changes include fluid and swelling in the lungs. | Treatment ineffective once signs are severe. Injectable steroids, antihistamines, and antibiotics may help. Handle gently (prevents exertion and death). |
Red maple; Acer rubrum | Moist land and swamps; eastern North America | Horses | Wilted leaves. Anemia, and destruction of blood cells; weakness, rapid breathing, rapid heart beat, depression, jaundice, poor oxygenation of blood, brownish discoloration of blood and urine. | Not common. Fluids, oxygen, and blood transfusion can be helpful. Methylene blue therapy not rewarding. |
Russian knapweed; Centaurea repens | Waste areas, roadsides, railroads, and overgrazed rangeland; not common in cultivated or irrigated pastures; mostly western and upper midwestern US | Horses | Fresh or dried plant. Chronic exposure, but sudden onset of signs. Inability to eat or drink, loss of facial tone, chewing, yawning, standing with head down, severe facial swelling, gait normal, head pressing, aimless walking or excitement most severe the first 2 days, become static thereafter. Death from starvation, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia. | More toxic than yellow star thistle (C. solstitialis; see below) but with similar pathology and prognosis. Some relief with massive doses of atropine but not an effective treatment. Euthanasia recommended. |
White snakeroot; Eupatorium rugosum | Woods, cleared areas, waste places, usually the moister and richer soils; eastern North America | Sheep, cattle, horses | Complex benzyl alcohol (tremetol in leaves and stems). Excreted via milk; cumulative. Weight loss, weakness, trembling (muzzle and legs) prominent after exercise, constipation, acetone odor, fatty degeneration of liver, partial paralysis of throat, death in 1 to 3 days. | “Milk sickness” or “trembles.” Supportive treatment. Heart and respiratory stimulants and laxatives may be necessary. Remove animal from access to plant. |
Yellow star thistle, Yellow knapweed; Centaurea solstitialis | Waste areas, roadsides, pastures; mostly western North America | Horses | Entire plant. Involuntary chewing movements, twitching of lips, flicking of tongue. Mouth commonly held open. Unable to eat; death from dehydration, starvation, aspiration pneumonia. | Horses graze because of lack of other forage. Extended period of consumption essential for toxicity. Death of certain brain areas is diagnostic. No treatment. Euthanasia recommended. |
Dangerous Season: Fall and Winter | ||||
Black walnut; Juglans nigra | Native to eastern US; now from eastern seacoast, west to Michigan and most of the Midwest, south to Georgia and Texas | Horses | Shavings with as little as 20% black walnut are toxic within 24 hours of exposure. Reluctance to move; depression; increased temperature, pulse, respiration rate, abdominal sounds, digital pulse, hoof temperature; distal limb swelling; lameness. Severe laminitis with continued exposure. | Nonfatal; laminitis and edema of lower limbs. Remove shavings promptly. Treat for limb edema and laminitis. Improvement in 1 to 2 days with no complications. |
Bladderpod, Rattlebox, Sesbane, Coffeebean; Sesbania vesicaria | Mostly open, low ground, abandoned cultivated fields; southeastern US coastal plain | All | Green plant and seeds. | Green seeds are more toxic. Remove animal from source immediately. General supportive treatment—saline purgatives, intravenous fluids. |
Onions, (cultivated and wild); Allium cepa, A. canadense | Cultivated and grown on rich soils throughout US | Cattle, horses, dogs | Entire parts. Livestock readily consume onions; low blood cell counts develop within days of exposure. Signs are hemoglobin in the urine, diarrhea, loss of appetite, jaundice, incoordination, collapse, and possible death if untreated. Hemolytic anemia reported in livestock ingesting wild onions. Swollen, pale, dying liver. | Signs similar to toxicity induced by S-methylcysteine sulfoxide (a rare toxic amino acid in Brassica species) in livestock. Susceptibility to onion poisoning varies across animal species: cattle more susceptible than horses and dogs, which are more susceptible than sheep and goats. Remove animals from source and prevent future access to cull onions. Symptomatic and supportive care essential. |
Rattlebox, Purple serbane; Daubentonia unica | Cultivated and escaped, in waste places; southeastern US coastal plain | All | Rapid pulse, weak respiration, diarrhea, death. | Seeds poisonous. Remove animal from source. Saline purgatives. |
Rayless goldenrod, Burroweed; Haplopappus heterophyllus | Dry plains, grasslands, open woodlands, and along irrigation canals; southwest US | Horses | Primarily nursing young and nonlactating animals. Reluctance to move, trembling, weakness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, constipation, lying down, coma, death. | “Milk sickness.” Separate foals from mares. |
Sweet clover, White sweet clover; Melilotus officinalis and M. alba | Commonly found on alkaline soils, fields, roadsides, and waste places; forage crop in southern and northern US | Horses | Also See heading on page Sweet Clover Poisoning. | Aslso See page Sweet Clover Poisoning. |
Dangerous Season: Fall, Winter, and Spring | ||||
Chinaberry; Melia azedarach | Fence rows, brush, waste places; southeastern US | Horses | Entire plant, fruit most toxic. Restlessness, vomiting, constipation, blue-tinged gums, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, death within 24 hours. | Gastroenteritis usual. Recovery may be spontaneous. Laxatives and stomach and intestinal protectants suggested. |
Dangerous Season: All Seasons | ||||
Astragalus species (certain species only—selenium accumulators) | Areas high in selenium, mostly western and midwestern | Horses | Selenium (chronic). Slow growth, reproductive failure, loss of hair, sore feet, acute death. | Avoid grazing seleniferous plants for extended periods. Also see . |
Bracken fern; Pteridium aquilinum | Dry poor soil, open woods, sandy ridges | Horses | Also See heading on page Bracken Fern Poisoning. | |
Castor bean; Ricinus communis | Cultivated in southern regions | All | Entire plant, seeds especially toxic. Short to long course (death or recovery). Violent purgation, straining with bloody diarrhea, weakness, drooling, trembling, incoordination. | Diagnosis based on presence of seeds, red blood cell clumping, precipitin test. Specific antiserum, ideal antidote; sedatives, arecoline hydrobromide, followed by saline cathartics suggested. |
Chokecherries, Wild cherries, Peaches; Prunus species | Waste areas, fence rows, woods, orchards, prairies, dry slopes | Horses | Excitement leading to depression, difficulty breathing, incoordination, convulsions, prostration. Death may occur in 15 minutes. | Mucous membranes, bright pink color; blood, bright red color ( See heading on page Cyanide Poisoning). |
Corn cockle; Agrostemma githago | Weed, grainfields, and waste areas; throughout North America | All | Seeds. Short course. Profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, dullness, general weakness, rapid breathing, hemoglobin in the urine, death. | Oils and stomach and intestinal protectants. Neutralize toxin. Blood transfusions may be necessary. |
Crotalaria, Rattlebox; Crotalaria species | Fields and roadsides; eastern and central US | All | Entire plant, especially seeds. Chronic course. Horses—unthriftiness, incoordination, walking in circles, jaundice; Death may occur from a few weeks to months after ingestion. | Cumulative, fresh or dry. No treatment. |
Day-blooming jessamine and night-blooming jessamine, respectively; Cestrum diurnum, C. nocturnum | Open woods and fields; Gulf Coast states (Florida, Texas) and California | Horses, and dogs (ingesting cholecalciferol-based rodenticides) | Entire plant, including fruit and sap. Inflammation of the stomach and intestine develops on ingestion of fruits. Vomiting, depression, loss of appetite, chronic weight loss with normal appetite, choppy stiff gait, increased pulse, persistent increases in blood calcemia and phosphate, calcium deposits in arteries, tendons, ligaments, and kidneys, destruction of the parathyroid glands, overgrowth of the thyroid gland, and increased bone density reported with chronic ingestion of leaves. | Prevent further access of animals to plants. In early stages, treatment might be effective. Correct fluid and electrolyte (salt) imbalances in cases with persistent vomiting or diarrhea. Reduce or prevent changes in blood calcium. Maintenance therapy of diuretics and steroids may be necessary. |
Fraser’s photinia, Chinese photinia, Red leaf photinia, Red tip photinia; Photinia fraseri, P. serrulata, P. glabra | Common ornamental (hedge or screen) in southern US | Horses | Same as for Nandina (see below). | Same as for Nandina (see below). |
Groundsel, Senecio; Senecio species | Grassland areas; mostly western US | Horses, limited to US | Fresh or dry. Short-term poisoning not common. Dullness, aimless walking, increased pulse, rapid breathing, weakness, colic, delayed death (days to months). Nervous signs evident in later stages. | Liver biopsy diagnostic in early stages. No general treatment. |
Hound’s tongue; Cynoglossum officinale | Common in waste places, roadsides, and pastured areas throughout US | Horses | Foliage. Unpleasant odor discourages consumption when fresh, becomes palatable in hay and is readily consumed. Signs are poor appetite, depression, rough hair coat, bleeding, bloody feces, incoordination, jaundice, death. | Know source and quality of hay. Treatment symptomatic and supportive at best. Affected animals seldom recover. |
Jimson weed, Thorn apple; Datura stramonium | Fields, barn lots, trampled pastures, and waste places on rich bottom soils; throughout North America | All | Entire plant, seeds in particular. Short course. Weak rapid pulse and heartbeat, dilated pupils, dry mouth, incoordination, convulsions, coma. | All parts, mainly in hay or silage. Urine from animal dilates pupils of laboratory animals (diagnostic). Treatment nonspecific; cardiac and respiratory stimulants. |
Johnson grass; Sorghum halepense | Weed of open fields and waste places; southern and scattered north to New York and Iowa | Horses | Same as for Sorghum vulgare (see below). | Same as for Sorghum vulgare (see below). |
Laurel, Ivybush, Lambkill; Kalmia species | Rich moist woods, meadows, or acid bogs; eastern and northwestern North America. Dangerous all seasons, especially winter and spring. | Horses | Vegetative parts. Short course. Incoordination, excess drooling, vomiting, bloat, weakness, muscular spasms, coma, death. | Treatment includes laxatives, demulcents, nerve stimulants, atropine. |
Laurel cherry, Cherry laurel; Prunus caroliniana | Woods, fence rows, and often escaped from cultivation; southern regions. Dangerous all seasons, especially winter and spring. | Horses | Wilted leaves, bark, and twigs. Short course. Difficult breathing, bloat, staggering, convulsions, followed by prostration and death. Mucous membranes and blood bright red. | |
Locoweed; Astragalus species, Oxytropis species (certain species only) | Mostly western North America | All grazing animals | Depression, emaciation, incoordination, dry lusterless hair. Abortions. | Avoid grazing of source. Both green and dry plants toxic. |
Lupines, Bluebonnet; Lupinus species | Dry to moist soils, roadsides, fields, and mountains; throughout, but poisoning mostly western North America | Horses | Seeds (fresh and dry). Short course. No appetite, difficulty breathing, struggle, convulsions, death from respiratory paralysis. | Do not disturb sick animals; remove from source as they begin to recover. No effective treatment, but survivors recover completely. See also heading on page Mycotoxic Lupinosis. |
Milk vetch (and many other common names); Astragalus species (certain species only) | Nearly all | Horses | Hindlimb paralysis, goose-stepping, depression, rough coat, pulmonary emphysema, sudden death, spinal cord changes. | Avoid grazing of pre-flower stage. |
Milkweeds; Asclepias species | Dry areas, usually waste places, roadsides, streambeds | All | Entire plant, green or dry. Staggering, tetanic convulsions, bloating, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, rapid and weak pulse, coma, death. | Sedatives, laxatives, and intravenous fluids suggested. |
Mustards, Crucifers, Cress; Brassica, Raphanus, Descurainia species | Fields, roadsides; throughout North America | Horses | Seeds and vegetative parts, fresh or dry. Sudden or long course. Loss of appetite, severe inflammation of the stomach and intestines, drooling, diarrhea, paralysis, sensitivity to light, hemoglobin in the urine. | Remove from source. Administer stomach and intestinal protectants (mineral oil). |
Nandina, Heavenly bamboo, Chinese sacred bamboo; Nandina domestica | Common ornamental in southern US | Horses | Foliage and fruits. Hydrolyzed in stomach and intestinal tract to free cyanide, thereby affecting cellular respiration. Prognosis good if animal survives for 1 hour after signs begin. Also See heading on page Cyanide Poisoning. | Acute outcome precludes effective treatment for most; Intravenous sodium nitrite/sodium thiosulfate treatment of choice. Picrate test indicates toxic potential of the plant. Also see . |
Oleander; Nerium oleander | Common ornamental in southern regions of the US | All | Entire plant, fresh or dry. Short course. Severe inflammation of the intestine and stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, increased pulse rate, weakness, death. | No specific treatment. Atropine in conjunction with propranolol reported helpful. |
Poison hemlock; Conium maculatum | Roadside ditches, damp waste areas; throughout North America | All | Vegetative parts. Short course. Dilated pupils; weakness; staggering gait; slow pulse, progressing to rapid and thready. Slow, irregular breathing; death from respiratory failure. | Toxin excreted via lungs and kidneys, mousy odor of breath and urine diagnostic. Administer saline cathartics; neutralize alkaloids with tannic acid, together with stimulants. |
Privet, Ligustrum, Hedge plant; Ligustrum species | An ornamental; common as hedge; found at abandoned farm home sites, along fences, and in bottomlands. | Horses | Leaves and fruit. Primarily intestine and stomach irritants. Diarrhea, abdominal pain, incoordination, muscle weakness, weak pulse, fever, convulsions, sometimes death. | Treatment symptomatic and supportive; correct dehydration. |
Sorghum, Sudan grass, Kafir, Durra, Milo, Broom-corn, Schrock; Sorghum vulgare | Forage crops and escapes; throughout North America | All | Heavy in vegetative parts. Short course. Difficult breathing, bloat, staggering, convulsions, death. Blood bright red (cyanide) or chocolate brown (nitrate). | Hay safe for cyanide (volatile), not safe for nitrate (analyze). Also see and . |
St. John’s-wort, Goatweed, Klamath weed; Hypericum perforatum | Dry soil, roadsides, pastures, ranges; throughout North America | Horses | Photodynamic pigment (hypericin). Short course. Sensitivity to light, pruritus and erythema, blindness, convulsions, diarrhea, hypersensitivity to cold water contact, death. | Remove animals from source and sunlight. Corticosteroids given by injection, topical antibiotics. |
Tall fescue; Festuca arundinacea | A coarse, hardy, drought-resistant grass; Pacific Northwest, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kentucky; major pasture grass in southeastern US | Horses | Also see see Fescue Poisoning in Animals. | Also see see Fescue Poisoning in Animals. |
Yellow jessamine, Evening trumpet flower, Carolina Jessamine; Gelsemium sempervirens | Open woods, thickets; southeast | All | Entire plant. Short course. Weakness, incoordination, dilated pupils, convulsions, coma, death within 48 hours. | No specific treatment. Relaxants and sedatives suggested. |
Yew; Taxus species | Most of North America; Japanese and English yew common ornamentals | All | Bark, leaves, seeds. Gaseous distress, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, respiratory difficulty, weakness, fatigue, collapse, coma, convulsions, irregular heartbeat, circulatory failure, death. Death may be rapid. | Poisoning usually results when branches and trimmings fed to livestock. |
For More Information
Also see professional health content regarding plants poisonous to animals such as houseplants and ornamentals, range plants of temperate North America, and poisonous plants of Australia.
