Garden Plant Favorites that Can Be Poisonous to Your Dog

There are so many plant favorites that we want in our garden plots, landscapes, and in containers by the patio. Sometimes we forget that while they are lovely to look at, some plants are poisonous to our four-legged friends. While all of the example plants are pretty and grow commonly throughout the United States, they all can have horrible side effects to dogs. Dogs should never be allowed to chew on the leaves, flowers, stems, or any part of these plants.

Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)

All azaleas are poisonous in some form or fashion. All parts have the poisonous properties, while the leaves are the most poisonous. Some of the side effects from azaleas include abdominal pain, coma, stomach upset and irritation, convulsions, and possible death.

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

The poisonous compounds in this pretty vine are in the berries and the leaves. It can cause problems with breathing, stomach irritation, diarrhea, coma, and even death.

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

This Christmas favorite isn't as deadly as is feared. However, the leaves and the flowers may cause some stomach problems, and irritation in the mouth and skin.

Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum)

The leaves of the rhubarb have poisonous properties in them. If a dog ingests them, side effects can include trembling, weakness, increased drinking, breathing problems, increased urination, and possibly death.

Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)

This big flowered garden favorite has poisonous leaves and buds. Dogs can have bloody stool, diarrhea, and digestive tract irritation and inflammation.

Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidata) and English Yew (Taxus baccata)

Both of these can cause side effects in dogs, even causing sudden death in some. Dogs may have heart problems, trembling, weakness, breathing problems, and stomach upset as well.

Lantana (Lantana camara)

This plant has poisonous leaves and berries. In bad ingestion cases the death can happen as quickly as two to four days. Side effects can also include weakness, bloody diarrhea, and sluggishness.

Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium)

Every part of this common weed is poisonous. If a dog ingests it as they are out for a stroll, some of the side effects can include rapid breathing and pulse, restlessness, twitching, depression, weak pulse, coma, convulsions, and death.

Nightshade (Solanum spp.)

They don't call it deadly nightshade for nothing. This plant has poisonous compounds all throughout it. It can be fatal. Other side effects can be paralysis, rapid heart rate, bloating, weak pulse, numbness, drowsiness, labored breathing, diarrhea, intestinal problems, and nasal discharge.

Hyacinth (Hyacinth orientalis)

This cut-flower favorite has poisonous leaves, flowers, and bulbs. It typically isn't deadly, but the side effects can include vomiting and diarrhea. It also can may dogs colicky.

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Source: ASPCA