Dogs are dying from common garden plants and most pet owners don't realize the danger is in their yard
You might not think twice about the plants in your garden. Most of us pick them for color, shade or curb appeal without ever checking whether they could hurt a pet.
But some of the most common plants in yards and homes are toxic plants for dogs. And the consequences of a curious nibble can range from vomiting to emergency surgery to death.
Recent cases involving a Chihuahua named Cooper, a 3-year-old springer spaniel and a dog named Goose show just how serious the risk can be.
How plants poisonous to dogs cause harm
Not all toxic plants affect dogs the same way, but many share similar chemicals that attack the digestive system.
Hostas, one of the most popular shade plants in gardens, contain compounds called saponins. The ASPCA lists them as toxic to both dogs and cats.
Saponins cause burning in the mouth, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea and cough, according to a 2023 scientific review published in the journal Toxins. In some cases, fatigue and difficulty breathing can follow.
Tulips are another common offender. They contain a chemical called Tulipalin A and B, which the ASPCA says can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea and hypersalivation in dogs and cats. The bulb is especially dangerous.
These aren’t obscure or exotic species. They’re plants you’ll find at virtually any garden centre or home improvement store.
A Chihuahua’s brush with death
One of the most recent cases to gain attention is Cooper, an 18-month-old Chihuahua from Tamworth, Staffordshire.
Cooper nearly died after eating a hosta in May. His owner, 25-year-old Caitlin Roberts, told the BBC that the plant toxins temporarily stopped Cooper’s intestines from working. Undigested food built up and created a blockage that required emergency surgery.
Making things worse, the toxins didn’t show up in blood tests. Cooper spent several days in pain before veterinarians identified the cause.
His treatment has cost the family more than £6,000 (about $8,000), including surgery, medicine and specially formulated food. Cooper is recovering but will need a specially adapted diet for the rest of his life.
“I think we should be a bit more aware of what we have in the garden and what we have in the kitchen for our pets,” Gabriel Wax, the veterinarian who treated Cooper, told the BBC.
Cooper isn’t the only victim of plants hazardous to dogs
Cases like Cooper’s are not isolated. The dangers of toxic plants for dogs have made headlines multiple times in recent months.
In April, dog owner Jemma Ladwitch lost her 3-year-old springer spaniel just three hours after visiting a tulip festival in England. The BBC reported that the dog fell ill shortly after the visit.
Robert Copley, director of Farmer Copleys Tulip Festival, told the BBC there was clear guidance warning attendees about how dangerous tulips are to dogs. But the festival still moved to ban pets for the rest of the season.
“As a precautionary measure, we have made the difficult decision to no longer permit dogs at our Tulip Festival for the remainder of the season,” the farm wrote in a Facebook post.
And it’s not just a UK problem. In Washington, D.C., a 2-year-old dog named Goose died after eating Carolina jessamine in the courtyard of his apartment complex. The toxic vine was removed about a week later, but residents criticized the building’s response. They launched a petition, now signed by more than 1,150 people, calling for the plant to be banned from shared-use landscaping across the city.
The fight for warning labels on plants toxic to dogs
Roberts has channeled her experience into advocacy. On May 26, she started a Change.org petition asking the UK government to require toxicity warnings on plants sold by shops, garden centers and other suppliers.
The petition calls for labels stating whether a plant is toxic to cats or dogs and including the phone number for Animal PoisonLine (the UK equivalent of the Pet Poison Helpline).
“It’s such an easy fix. I’m not asking for a million pounds to change the world,” Roberts told the BBC. “I’m just asking for a little bit of writing on a label upon purchase to save our little fur babies.”
More than 580 people have signed the petition as of July 14.
Gurdip Singh, CEO of labelling software company Kallik, called the petition a “fabulous” idea in an interview with the BBC.
“In terms of feasibility [it’s] very doable. Companies around the world work to strict regulations [and] have systems in place,” he told the outlet. “This is just about putting further information onto the label to enable the consumer to be better informed.”
But not everyone expects action. In an online Q&A, personal injury attorney Stephen Hoffman was asked why there aren’t labels warning consumers about plants that are toxic to pets.
“Unfortunately, it is up to us to safeguard our pets in the household,” Hoffman replied, adding that the government simply doesn’t require the label.
How to keep your garden dog-friendly
Until regulations catch up, it’s on pet owners to check what’s growing in and around their homes.
The ASPCA’s list of toxic plants for dogs includes 416 species. It also covers 428 plants that are toxic to cats. The list is free and searchable, making it a practical reference before buying a new plant or letting your dog explore the yard unsupervised.
Sticking to dog-friendly plants when landscaping is one of the simplest ways to reduce risk. If you already have an established garden, take the time to cross-reference what’s there against the ASPCA’s database.
Stories like Cooper’s, Goose’s and the springer spaniel’s show that the threat is real and widespread. Plants that are toxic to dogs and cats are everywhere. A few minutes of research before your next trip to the garden center could prevent a trip to the emergency vet.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
