Are Hostas Toxic to Dogs?

Dogs are notorious for getting their snouts into things they shouldn’t. Besides their dog food, they’ll happily snuffle and scarf up anything they come across, from litter on the sidewalk to the newly planted flower bulbs in your garden. And while some of the stuff your pooch comes across is just gross, other items can be downright dangerous. In fact, there are tons of poisonous plants for dogs that can harm your pet.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center reported that in 2022, over 8 percent of all calls were related to pets ingesting plants toxic to them, making it sixth on their list of the top 10 pet toxins.

We spoke with a director at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and three other veterinarians to identify the most common poisonous plants for dogs.

If your dog ingests anything toxic, including poisonous plants, immediately call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.

With its stiff fronds, the sago palm looks like a tiny palm tree and can live indoors or outdoors. Its toxic to all pets, says Laura Stern, DVM, DABVT, director of client programs for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

And while the leaves and bark will harm your pup, “the seeds or ‘nuts’ contain the largest amount of toxins,” Dr. Stern says.

Tulips are spring-blooming flowers that many people love to have in their home—indoors and outdoors. Dog parents should skip these brightly colored flowers, though.

If your dog chews on the lance-shaped leaves, they could get an upset stomach. However, the real danger lies when your dog digs up and eats the newly planted bulbs, which have the most toxins.

There are a ton of reasons why lilies of the valley are such popular garden plants: They are sweet-smelling; they have adorable, little white bell-shaped flowers; and they can thrive in shady places. But though they may be pretty, lilies of the valley are poisonous to dogs.

“Even a small exposure to any part of the plant can cause heart problems for dogs—changes in heart rate and rhythm,” Dr. Stern warns.

Oleander is a common landscaping plant, especially on the West Coast. This bushy shrub can grow as high as 12 feet, and it’s prized for its cluster of flowers in shades of yellow, white, pink, and red.

Every inch of this plant is poisonous to dogs—from the flower petals to the pointy, long leaves.

“Like lily of the valley, oleander also contains cardiac glycosides,” Dr. Stern explains, adding that symptoms can include:

Philodendrons have heart-shaped leaves and long vines, and are a very popular houseplant. Beware, though: These plants contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate your dog’s mouth and lips.

All parts of these flowering beauties contain grayanotoxin, and the reaction your pup gets depends on how much they’ve eaten.

It’s very rare for dogs to eat a lot of azaleas, but when they do, they can get:

These mostly indoor plants have lush green leaves with white spots or stripes. If your dog nibbles on the leaves, they’re likely to feel as if their mouth, tongue, and lips are burning, thanks to the calcium oxalate crystals (the same ones found in philodendrons).

According to Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM, a veterinarian at Animal Medical Center in New York City, other symptoms include:

These plants look like small evergreen trees or shrubs with needle-like leaves and small red berries. You can find them throughout the United States.

With intensely colored blooms (think every shade of pink) that last a long time, cyclamen is a popular houseplant, especially in the winter.

If they dig up the plant and gobble up the roots (or tubers as they’re known), it can affect their heart rate and rhythms, and may even cause death, Dr. Hohenhaus says.

A lantana plant is a shrub that brims with colorful, cluster-like flowers, and it’s toxic to dogs and cats. Your pet’s reaction may depend, in part, on the ripeness of the berries they’ve eaten.

If eaten by your dog, the unripe berries of a lantana can have severe effects. “In very large ingestions, you can see coma and death,” Dr. Schmid warns. Ripe berries, on the other hand, typically only cause vomiting and diarrhea.

In varying shades of blue, pink, and purple, hydrangeas, with their large flower clusters, are certainly pretty from afar. But this plant is toxic to both dogs and cats.

Even though all parts of the plant are toxic, Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, director of veterinary medicine and senior veterinary toxicologist at the Pet Poison Helpline, says that only GI upset will likely result.

As perennial plants that live in shaded areas, hosta plants, with their lush, vibrant leaves, are toxic to dogs and cats alike.

Jennifer Kendall, DVM, DABT, DABVT, senior toxicologist at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, explains that all parts of the plant contain something called saponins, which can irritate the intestinal tract.

Known for its white blooms and natural beauty, a peace lily isn’t quite so peaceful for dogs and cats. These plants are toxic. They contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause severe pain to the mouth, tongue, esophagus, and stomach.

“These irritating crystals are found in all parts of the plant,” Dr. Kendall says, and adds that symptoms appear immediately when chewed.

Peonies are gorgeous summertime additions to outdoor landscaping, with their vibrant, fragrant blooms, but they are toxic to both dogs and cats.

Although ingestion of any part of the plant can cause symptoms, “it is more likely if the bark is ingested,” Dr. Kendall says.

“In most cases, just GI upset develops,” Dr. Schmid says. “If larger amounts are ingested, lethargy and depression may develop.”

Popular in outdoor planters and hanging baskets, geraniums come in lots of colors—but no matter the hue, they are toxic to dogs and cats. Although all parts of the plant are toxic, Dr. Schmid points out that symptoms usually resolve on their own without needing medical treatment.

Seen frequently during the fall months, you can’t miss colorful, pom pom-like mums seen in landscaping and in planters. “They are toxic to both dogs and cats, but are only expected to cause GI upset,” Dr. Schmid says.

Dr. Kendall further explains, “Mums contain pyrethrins, which can also be found in insecticides. However, pyrethrins in the plant do not pose any risks when the plant is eaten due to their low concentrations.”

Pothos plants, also known as Devil’s Ivy, are houseplants that are frequently spotted within trendy interiors, beloved for their bright green hue and trailing vines. But, you’ll want to keep them away from your pets.

“Pothos plants contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals and can cause symptoms in both dogs and cats,” Dr. Kendall says. “These irritating crystals are found in all parts of the plant,” and symptoms result immediately when chewed.

Found both indoors and out, the begonia is famed for its bright colors and interestingly shaped leaves. Dr. Schmid says that this plant is “toxic to both dogs and cats, but only expected to cause vomiting and diarrhea.” She adds that all parts of the plant are toxic.

Begonias can cause vomiting and diarrhea when dogs and cats ingest the stems, leaves, and flowers, Dr. Kendall says, due to insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in the plant.

In cheerful shades of yellow and dotting springtime landscapes, you can’t help but smile when you spot a sea of daffodils. But we doubt your dog or cat would be in a good mood if they ingest these plants.

Eating the foliage of a daffodil can result in vomiting and diarrhea, Dr. Schmid says, and in rare cases, seizures can result from eating the bulbs.

Easy to spot in a garden, gladiolas, which come in several different colors, are very tall and can bear upwards of 20 blooms on a single “spike,” as it’s called. Toxic to both dogs and cats, Dr. Schmid says that vomiting can be severe and contain blood. All parts of the plant are toxic, with the bulb being the most toxic.

Any plant can upset your dog’s stomach, but toxic ones can produce severe symptoms, like intense vomiting or organ damage, depending on the plant and how much your pup ingests.

Here are all the plants known to produce the more serious side effects (you can also find a list with photos on the ASPCA’s website):

What To Do If Your Dog Eats Toxic Plants

While some plants can just give your pup diarrhea, there are others that are extremely poisonous and can cause serious problems, like liver damage. On top of that, many of the more dangerous poisonous plants for dogs are also very common plants to have in your home, like sago palm plants.

If you think your pet has eaten a poisonous plant, head to the animal ER instead of trying to treat your pet at home.

If you aren’t sure what your pet ate, call the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661). They’re available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They can tell you how toxic the plant is and if you need to seek veterinary care.

The best thing to do as far as prevention goes is to not have these plants at all. But sometimes, that’s just not possible—say, you bought a house with a yard full of azaleas. In that case, you can put a barrier up or use a plant stand to prevent your pooch from getting to these plants.

When adding greenery to your home, be sure to get plants that are pet-safe, like spider plants, violets, or orchids, suggests Dr. Hohenhaus.

Are Hostas Poisonous To Dogs?

FAQ

What happens if a dog eats hostas?

Clinical Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression.

How do I stop my dog from eating hostas?

For example, dogs and cats don’t like the smell of citrus, so plant lemongrass around the Hosta. Or, plant prickly plants like aloe, roses or holly, to make the area less inviting. You also can put orange and lemon peels around the plant to see if it discourages your dog from approaching.

Are hostas dog friendly?

Hosta plant parts are considered toxic to dogs, cats, and horses because they contain saponins, which are soap like irritants. They are glycosides with a distinctive foaming characteristic. Signs of toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, and depression/lethargy.

What plant is poisonous to dogs?

Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) Mistletoe (viscum Album) Onion and garlic plants (Allium species) Oak (Quercus species) – look out for acorns in autumn that can cause problems such as gut blockages.

What happens if a dog eats Hosta?

Saponins are toxic when consumed and may inflict several problems for a dog including stomach upsets and others. If a dog eats any part of the Hosta plant, the level of intended symptoms will be decided based on several factors such as the amount of Hosta taken and the size of the dog. Here are some common symptoms to watch for: 1. Vomiting:

Is Hosta plataginea toxic to dogs?

Scientific Name: Hosta plataginea Family: Liliaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses Toxic Principles: Saponins Clinical Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression. If you suspect your pet may have ingested a potentially toxic substance, call the APCC at (888) 426-4435 or contact your local veterinarian as soon as possible.

Can dogs eat Hosta flowers?

Dogs cannot eat Hosta plants as they are very toxic to canines. The entire plant, including the Hosta flowers, leaves, stems, and bulbs will make your dog sick and can be fatal in rare cases. Mostly your dog will vomit and have diarrhea. Despite how common Hosta flowers are, that doesn’t mean they are safe for your dog.

Are hostas poisonous to dogs?

Hostas are toxic to dogs due to the saponins that are present within the plant. Saponins are known to cause gastric irritation in our furry friends, and even skin irritation if the dog rubs against the plant frequently. While most plants harbor most of their danger within the bulb, hostas contain saponins in every portion of the plant.

Are Hosta lilies bad for dogs?

Hostas, or plantain lilies, are a low-maintenance plant that are part of the Agavaceae family. With being low to the ground and extremely tolerant to shade, this plant is a favorite in gardens around the world. There are also over 40 species of hostas out there, making it even more likely for your dog to come in contact with them at some point.

How do you treat Hosta toxicity in dogs?

The management of Hosta toxicity in dogs is mainly supportive care intended at reducing the severity of the signs and preventing additional amounts of the toxic components from being ingested. Depending on the severity of the poisoning, your veterinarian may recommend the following: 1. Inducing Vomiting: