Despite their pleasant serotonin-boosting appearance, you may inadvertently purchase one of the toxic household plants for dogs in Los Angeles. They can be quite poisonous and harmful to your pup.. That’s right; your new visually appealing plants may pose a significant danger to your furry friend. Review our list of the most common household plants that, if ingested, can be deadly for your dog!
When we first bring home a new plant, we’re excited about the level of decor it brings to the room. In addition, as plants are often gifted to us, we love the warm feelings they give us when we look at them. According to Psychology Today, plants are also known for causing happiness, so it’s hard for us to imagine such a beautiful specimen causing harm.
Avoid These Toxic Household Plants for Dogs in Los Angeles
Philodendrons (Including Monstera & Pothos)
Philodendrons, monstera, and pothos are trendy indoor plants, but they contain insoluble calcium oxalates that can irritate a dog’s mouth and stomach. Symptoms of ingestion include drooling, oral pain, swelling, and vomiting. If a large amount is consumed, it can lead to difficulty breathing. These plants should be kept out of reach or replaced with pet-safe alternatives.
Tulips & Daffodils
Tulips and daffodils add vibrant color to Los Angeles gardens, but their bulbs contain toxins that can be dangerous to dogs. If ingested, they can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and even cardiac issues. Since dogs love to dig, avoid planting these flowers in areas where they roam and store bulbs safely out of reach because when chewed or eaten, the bulb contains toxins that can lead to death.
Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
The Sago Palm is a common decorative plant in Los Angeles, but it’s one of the most dangerous for dogs. Every part of the plant—especially the seeds—is highly toxic and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and even liver failure, which can be fatal if not treated. Sago Palms are frequently found in residential landscapes, public parks, and commercial properties, making them a significant risk. If your dog ingests any part of this plant, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
Oleander
Oleander is a beautiful yet deadly plant commonly used in Los Angeles gardens, parks, and along highways due to its drought resistance. Unfortunately, every part of the plant contains cardiac glycosides, which can severely affect a dog’s heart. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heart rhythms, drooling, and, in severe cases, sudden death. Even drinking water that has had oleander leaves soaking in it can be toxic. If your dog ingests any part of this plant, immediate veterinary attention is critical.
Poinsettia
Poinsettias are a holiday staple in Los Angeles homes and businesses, but their milky white sap can cause mild toxicity in dogs. While not as dangerous as Sago Palms or Oleander, ingestion can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and irritation of the mouth and esophagus. Skin contact with the sap may also cause mild irritation. If your dog chews on a poinsettia, monitor them closely; symptoms are usually mild, but consult a veterinarian if they seem excessively ill.
Hyacinth
Like tulips, if dogs make it to the bulbs of the Hyacinth plant, they’re done for! This flowering bush can lead to dehydration, loss of appetite, and intense drooling. Furthermore, they’ve been known to cause mood issues such as depression when eaten over time. Although these symptoms may not sound singularly intense, they can be deadly if left untreated.
Lilies (Lilium & Hemerocallis species)
While lilies are known to be deadly to cats, certain types can also be harmful to dogs. Peace lilies, calla lilies, and Peruvian lilies contain oxalates that can irritate a dog’s mouth and digestive tract, leading to vomiting, drooling, and difficulty swallowing. While not as lethal for dogs as they are for cats, it’s best to keep lilies out of your home if you have pets.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is commonly kept in Los Angeles homes for its soothing gel, but if ingested, it can be toxic to dogs. The plant contains saponins and anthraquinones, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. While aloe is great for human skin, keep it out of your pup’s reach to prevent accidental poisoning.
Mistletoe
Often hung above door frames as a tradition, Mistletoe is known for being a plant that brings people together. In fact, the tradition surrounding Mistletoe requires anyone standing under it to receive a kiss. As charming as that is, you won’t want to be kissing your dog if they ingest this plant!
Mistletoe can cause shocking symptoms such as extreme vomiting, drooling, stomach pain, and diarrhea. It’s common to receive a puppy as a pet for the holidays! To ensure you and your new family member are off to a good start, read this article about the dos and don’ts.
Peony (Paeonia spp.)
Peonies are a favorite in Los Angeles gardens for their lush, vibrant blooms, but they contain paeonol, a compound that can be toxic to dogs. If ingested, peonies can cause mild to moderate stomach upset, including vomiting and diarrhea. While not as dangerous as some other toxic plants, repeated ingestion can lead to ongoing digestive distress. If you love peonies, keep them in elevated planters or outdoor areas inaccessible to your pup.
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
You may recognize this plant as the flower in your yard with petite purple and white flowers. Due to Milkweed’s pretty and delicate appearance, most people do not rush to get rid of these invasive weeds. Milkweed is an essential plant for monarch butterflies, but it’s highly toxic to dogs. It contains cardenolides and other harmful compounds that can cause severe reactions, including drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, heart failure. Many Los Angeles residents plant milkweed to support pollinators, but if you have dogs, it’s best to place these plants in areas entirely off-limits for pets. If your dog ingests milkweed, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
Azaleas & Rhododendrons
Azaleas and rhododendrons are popular flowering plants that thrive in California gardens, but they contain grayanotoxins, which are extremely toxic to dogs. Appreciated for their bright flowers, Azaleas are a classic plant kept in yards and even in indoor window seals. Even a small amount can cause vomiting (not in horses), weakness, diarrhea, drooling, and serious heart problems such as cardiac failure. Severe cases can lead to tremors, coma, or even death, so keep these colorful plants away from your furry friend.
Cannabis and Dogs: A Growing Risk in Los Angeles
With legal cannabis widely available in Los Angeles, cases of accidental ingestion among dogs are on the rise. While CBD products specifically formulated for pets are generally safe, marijuana and THC-containing products can be toxic to dogs. As more states legalize cannabis, veterinarians are seeing an increase in cases of cannabis poisoning in pets.
When a dog consumes cannabis – whether by eating the plant, dried leaves, edibles, or secondhand exposure – it can cause serious side effects. Symptoms of cannabis toxicity in dogs include lethargy, unsteady movement, excessive drooling, vomiting, disorientation, and urinary incontinence (urine leakage). In more severe cases, dogs may experience dilated pupils, tremors, seizures, dangerously low heart rates, or even coma (VCA Animal Hospitals).
If you suspect your dog has ingested cannabis, contact your veterinarian or an emergency pet clinic immediately. While fatalities are rare, professional care is often required for recovery. To prevent accidental ingestion, store all cannabis products securely and ensure they’re kept far out of reach of curious pups.
Protecting Your Dog from Toxic Plants
Los Angeles is home to many beautiful but hazardous plants. If you have any of these in your home or garden, keep them completely out of your dog’s reach or consider replacing them with pet-safe alternatives. If you’re unsure whether a plant is toxic, check the ASPCA’s Toxic Plant List or contact your veterinarian. In case of poisoning, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
Consider These Non-toxic Household Plants for Dogs in LA
While the list of toxic and poisonous plants for dogs seems to be quite a bit longer than safe plants, there is hope! There are a variety of beautiful leafy and floral plants that are all right for you to keep around your furry friend. The Spider Plant, Calathea, African Violets, and some succulents are just a few plants that, if nibbled by a dog, won’t cause harm.
Our Pawsitive K9 Solutions team of canine experts is passionate about providing advice and tips to help you keep your dog happy, healthy, and safe. Furthermore, we are a Los Angeles dog training service dedicated to assisting our clients in living harmoniously with their dogs. Contact us for private dog training, group classes, or puppy day school!
For more insight on what could be harmful to your dogs, we encourage you to check out our article about Foods and Ingredients That Are Toxic for Dogs!
Happy planting!
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