Here is a quick reference guide to the more common house and garden plants and foods (and other substanced) that are toxic to most all animals. If you have these plants or foods, you need not dispose of them--just keep them away from your pets (and your children). Although it is impossible to list all possible poisons, these guidelines may help you begin to remove or place out of reach most potential problems.
Post close at hand your veterinarian's number, the number of an emergency clinic, and the number for the National Animal Poison Control Center. Before you call, note the time your pet was exposed to the toxin, the type of product ingested, the manufacturer's name and any ingredients you can find listed on packaging. To reach the National Poison Control Center call (800) 548-2423. If you need to speak to a veterinarian there, this service will be billed to a credit
card. An alternate number is (900) 680-0000. A veterinarian's services on this line will cost a flat fee for the first five minutes, and an additional fee per minute for each additional minute. These charges will be billed to your phone bill.
(Call them for current pricing.)
* Indicates that a substance is especially dangerous and can be fatal.
• Alcohol (all beverages, ethanol,
methanol, isopropyl) |
• Foxglove (Digitalis)* |
| • Almonds* |
• Garlic* |
| • Amaryllis bulb* |
• Grapes/raisins in large amounts |
| • Anthuriaum* |
• Hyacinth bulbs |
| • Apricot* |
• Hydrangea* |
| • Autumn crocus (Colchicum Autumnale)* |
• Holly berries |
• Avocado (leaves, seeds, stem, skin)*
(fatal to birds) |
• Iris corms |
| • Azalea (entire rhododendron family) |
• Jack-in-the-pulpit* |
| • Begonia* |
• Jimson weed* |
| • Bird of Paradise |
• Kalanchoe* |
| • Bittersweet |
• Lantana* |
| • Bleeding heart* |
• Lily (bulbs of most species) |
| • Boxwood |
• Lily-of-the-valley* |
| • Bracken fern |
• Lupine species |
| • Buckeye |
• Marijuana or hemp (Cannabis) |
| • Buttercup (Ranunculus) |
• Milkweed* |
| • Caffeine |
• Mistletoe berries* |
| • Caladium* |
• Morning glory* |
| • Calla lily* |
• Mountain laurel |
| • Castor bean* (can be fatal if chewed) |
• Narcissus, daffodil (Narcissus) |
| • Cherry |
• Oak* (remove bark for use as a bird perch) |
| • Chinese sacred or heavenly bamboo* |
• Oleander* |
| • Chocolate |
• Onions* |
| • Choke cherry, unripe berries* |
• Peaches* |
• Chrysanthemum
(a natural source of pyrethrins) |
• Pencil cactus/plant* (Euphorbia sp.) |
| • Clematis |
• Philodendron (all species)* |
| • Crocus bulb |
• Poinsettia (many hybrids, avoid them all) |
| • Croton (Codiaeum sp.) |
• Potato (leaves & stem) |
| • Delphinium, larkspur, monkshood* |
• Rhubarb leaves* |
| • Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia)* |
• Rosary Pea (Arbus sp.) (can be fatal if chewed) |
| • Elderberry, unripe berries* |
• Scheffelera (umbrella plant)* |
| • English ivy (All Hedera species of ivy) |
• Shamrock (Oxalis sp.)* |
| • Fig (Ficus) |
• Spurge (Euphorbia sp.) |
| • Four-o'clocks (Mirabilis) |
• Tomatoes (leaves & stem) |
| |
• Yew* |
| |
|
Other substances that are very harmful include (but are not limited to): |
| |
|
| • Household cleansers and disinfectants |
• Laundry supplies |
| • Lead |
• Cigarettes and other nicotine products and
smoke |
| • Bleach |
• fabric softeners |
| • Acetone |
• Suntan lotion |
| • Antifreeze |
• Crayons (dangerous for birds) |
| • Drain Cleaners |
• Cosmetics |
| • Insecticides |
• Rust (keep birds away) |
| • Wood preservatives and shellac |
• Fumes are dangerous to birds: smoke-filled
air, insecticide spray, deodorizers, spray
cleaners, fumes from fresh paint, gas, |
| • Rodent poison |
| • Mercury |
| • Chocolate |
