8 Houseplants That Are Poisonous to Dogs

It can be hard to balance the love for plants and dogs, and although you might want to get your house looking green and full of plants, you might want to read ahead. There are various types of houseplants that are poisonous to dogs which you should avoid at all costs. Because we want you to keep your furry friends safe every day, here's a list of 8 houseplants that are poisonous to dogs. 

8 Houseplants That Are Poisonous to Dogs

If you currently have one of the 8 plants listed below, no worries! There are other types of plants you can replace them with in order for your dogs to be happy, and safe, and keep you company every single day! 

1. Aloe Vera

Although this is a very common houseplant that the majority of the plant-loving population have at home and has some parts that are safe for dogs, it's better to keep them away. Aloe vera is considered among the houseplants that are poisonous to dogs because chewing on the plant can expose a dog to toxins called anthraquinone glycosides, which can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

Alternative: Haworthia plant, also known as the zebra plant will keep your dog safer, besides that you’ll practically get a very similar soft spiny look without the toxicity risks.

2. Ivy (Including English Ivy and Others)

Yes, ivy plants look stunning tumbling out of a wall or garden, but it sure is not the best option to have around your dog. Various ivy varieties are considered houseplants that are very poisonous to dogs because of several toxins the plant contains. Triterpenoid saponins and polyacetylene compounds will cause excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain if your dog chews on a leaf. Be careful!

Alternative: Swedish Ivy will let you enjoy a cascading effect as well, plus it's easy to care for and grows quickly with little maintenance.

3. Jade Plant (Crassula Ovata)

Another houseplant that is poisonous to dogs is the jade plant. This rubber-like type of plant is known to cause vomiting and a slow heart rate, in addition to a harder-to-identify symptom that involves great sadness... depression. Make sure to keep it away from your dog in order to avoid chronic health problems. 

Alternative: Christmas cactus is a beautiful, pumped, red cactus that is very easy to care for, plus in ideal conditions, you’ll see more good growth and a yearly set of red or bright pink flowers. A much better option than the jade plant! 

4. Dieffenbachia

Why is this houseplant considered poisonous to dogs? It's simple. The leaves of this specific plant contain tiny, sharp calcium oxalate crystals that can easily irritate a dog’s mouth and cause severe swelling and burning of the mouth and tongue. It's definitely a no if you want to keep your four-legged friend alive.

Alternative: Prayer plant which tolerates low-light conditions and infrequent watering, will save you a lot of time and preoccupation plus is not considered a poisonous houseplant to dogs. 

5. Philodendron Species

Just like the Dieffenbachia plant, all Philodendron species have very similar consequences for your dog if chewed or swallowed. Make sure to keep them away from this type of plant, given the fact that the calcium oxalate in the leaves can irritate a dog’s mouth, resulting in swelling, burning, and occasionally difficulty breathing. (There are more than 50 species of Philodendron that can be poisonous to dogs).

Alternative: Areca palm is a much better alternative and no worries you'll be able to keep the tropical vibes aligned when you replace the Philondrendron. With proper care, you can expect an areca palm to reach a height of 6 to 7 feet and live for up to a decade.

6. Sago Palm (Cycas Revoluta)

Pay close attention to this one, as it is known to be one of the most poisonous houseplants to dogs, all the way from the seeds and roots to the leaves. The toxin cycasin can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and in severe cases, the toxicity can even result in seizures, lethargy, and liver failure. Better take it out of your house! 

Alternative: Parlor palm grows upright and brushlike. You can count on it to stay roughly the same size, making it a fun and predictable creative plant for you to explore with!

7. Asparagus Fern

Similar to other houseplants that are poisonous to dogs, the asparagus fern also gets into the list for sure. Unfortunately, asparagus ferns carry a toxin that can cause vomiting and diarrhea if ingested, along with skin irritation if your dog is exposed to it repeatedly.

Alternative: Boston ferns are pet-safe, proven, and studied by veterinarians and plant lovers. If you give them the correct type of lighting, food, watering, and temperatures, these plants are very easy to care for and will thrive as houseplants. 

8. Peace Lily

Not many people know that the peace lily is one of the houseplants that are poisonous to dogs. If you have one of these in your house, you might want to consider giving them away ASAP. Peace lilies can cause severe and excessive drooling, and difficulty breathing and swallowing. 

Alternative: Phalaenopsis orchids are exotic flowers that feature gorgeous color and their compact size makes them a perfect fit for a house-fit habitat. Learn more about different Phalaenopsis orchids here! 

Although if you're a dog and cat owner, no worries. Read the article on the safest houseplants for both types of pets to get them feeling safer than ever.