Aloe vera is an indoor plant and is considered poisonous (especially its sap). Its active substances – some of which have a strong laxative effect – mainly attack the lining of the stomach, the kidneys and the uterus. Symptoms of poisoning can appear after eating large quantities of the plant.

Consequences: Vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, increased peeing, blood in the urine, lethargy, possible miscarriage.

The leaves, stem and especially the bulb of the “true amaryllis” – also called “belladonna lily” – are highly poisonous. They contain alkaloids that cause symptoms of poisoning even when small amounts of the plant are eaten.

Consequences: Nausea, drooling, abdominal pain, vomiting, colic, diarrhoea, heart arrhythmia (slowed heartbeat), movement disorders, tremors, convulsions.

This plant contains toxic ingredients that include atropine, L-hyoscyamine and scopolamine. It is one of the most dangerous plants, and every part of it is poisonous. Its active substances target the eyes, the central nervous system and heart, the glands, the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, the bile ducts and the ureters.

Consequences: Vomiting, movement disorders, drowsiness, difficulty swallowing, diarrhoea, tremors, cramps, visual disturbances, shortness of breath, heart arrhythmia, abdominal pain, intestinal problems, respiratory paralysis, bloating.

This plant is also known as the “flamingo flower”. The leaves in particular are poisonous to dogs and cats. It contains calcium oxalate crystals and oxalic acid. Its active substances attack the mucous membranes that line the gastrointestinal tract, as well as those of the mouth and throat, among other things.

Consequences: Irritation of the mouth and digestive tract, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, swelling of the upper respiratory tract (rare), drooling, pain in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, diarrhoea and vomiting; in cases where higher doses have been consumed, convulsions, movement disorders and cardiac arrhythmia can sometimes occur, as well as liver and kidney damage.

Azaleas are a type of rhododendron. The small, deciduous species of the plant are called azaleas, and the large, woody shrubs are called rhododendrons. These plants contain substances called grayanotoxins that can lead to cardiovascular collapse. All parts of the plant are considered poisonous, and ingestion of as little as 0.2% of an animal’s body weight can cause poisoning. (See also “Rhododendron” below.)

Consequences: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite; disturbed heart rate, cardiac arrhythmia, low blood pressure (hypotension), tremors, temporary blindness, seizures, coma and, in the most extreme cases, death.

Boxwood trees contain various alkaloids and a butter-like oil that make this plant poisonous to animals. Boxwood is classified as highly toxic (especially to horses and farm animals); the lethal dose for a dog is 5 g per kilogram of body weight in the case of the leaves, or just 0.8 g per kilogram of body weight in the case of the main alkaloid found in the plant (buxin). At first the alkaloids have a stimulating effect, and then they cause paralysis and lower the blood pressure.

Consequences: Severe gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, convulsions, movement disorders, collapse and, in extreme cases, death.

The main active ingredient of clematis is protoanemonin, a plant toxin found in the buttercup family.

Consequences: Vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling.

All parts of the daffodil are considered poisonous, but the most dangerous of all is the bulb. It contains poisonous alkaloids.

Consequences: Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, arrhythmia, convulsions, severe drop in blood pressure.

This plant belongs to the so-called Aaron’s Rod family. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals and oxalic acid, as well as plant toxins from the glycoside group. All parts of the plant are extremely toxic to animals. The active substances affect the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, the heart, the central nervous system and the muscles.

Consequences: Severe swelling of the mucous membranes, blisters, drooling (after biting into it), as well as (after swallowing) vomiting, abdominal pain, colic, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties, heart arrhythmia and other serious symptoms.

The genus Ficus includes numerous plant species that are considered to be slightly toxic. Their active substances target the central nervous system and skin, as well as the conjunctiva of the eyes and the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract.

Consequences: Vomiting, diarrhoea and (at high doses) cramps and paralysis.

The red foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a highly poisonous plant. Ingesting even small amounts causes symptoms of poisoning, and the fatal amount for a dog is around 5 g of dry leaves. Foxglove contains naturally occurring toxins that affect the heart.

Consequences: Tremors, muscle cramps, breathing difficulties, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, drowsiness, staggering, slowed heartbeat, heart arrhythmia, cardiac arrest.

This plant, which is also known as “devil’s ivy,” contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, like other plants of the Araceae family. Biting and chewing this plant releases these crystals.

Consequences: Salivation, diarrhoea, vomiting, bleeding in the body, difficulty breathing and/or swallowing; if consumed in large quantities, cramps, high blood pressure, liver and kidney damage, heart arrhythmia and movement disorders may occur.

Hyacinths are considered slightly poisonous to dogs and cats. The calcium oxalates and alkaloids contained in the plant cause symptoms of poisoning. The most toxic part is the bulb: severe poisoning symptoms can occur if it is eaten.

Consequences: Vomiting, drooling, diarrhoea, irritation of the mouth and oesophagus, increased heart rate, changes in breathing.

The poisonous parts of ivy are the stem, sap, leaves and especially the berries. Ivy’s active substances irritate the mucous membranes.

Consequences: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain.

Kalanchoe belongs to a group of plants that contain cardiogenic glycosides. However, dogs and cats that eat Kalanchoe usually get sick with gastrointestinal irritation or upset. If a large enough amount is eaten, there is a risk of more serious symptoms such as changes in heart rate and rhythm, weakness and collapse.

Consequences: Salivation, vomiting, diarrhoea, heart arrhythmia, weakness, collapse, cardiac arrest.

This plant becomes increasingly toxic as it matures: it is poisonous when young, but very poisonous when mature. All parts of the plant are dangerous – especially the seeds. The alkaloids found in this member of the buttercup family have a neuromuscular blocking effect, causing paralysis.

Consequences: Drooling, colic, constipation, vomiting, stiff gait, slowed heartbeat, abdominal pain, paralysis, convulsions, heart failure, respiratory paralysis and, in extreme cases, death.

The flowers and fruits of the lily of the valley are highly toxic to animals because they contain cardiac glycosides. These affect the heart (in a similar way to foxgloves) and circulation in animals.

Consequences: Dizziness, drowsiness, shortness of breath, cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea, slowed heartbeat, heart arrhythmia, circulatory collapse, cardiac arrest.

This plant’s cardiac glycosides are very toxic to animals. Oleander is considered extremely poisonous – eating even a small amount can prove fatal.

Consequences: Drooling, vomiting, (possibly bloody) diarrhoea, rapid breathing, coordination disorders, trembling, convulsions, vomiting, life-threateningly high levels of potassium, heart arrhythmia, fatal heart abnormalities.

Peonies are slightly poisonous. Their active ingredients target the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract.

Consequences: Vomiting, diarrhoea.

This plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, similar to other plants of the arum family. When bitten, some of the main active ingredients are released into the mouth and throat, causing irritation in the mucous membrane. Eating larger quantities of the plant causes discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract and attacks the heart.

Consequences: Drooling, burning in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, diarrhoea, vomiting, heart arrhythmia, kidney problems, muscle twitching, liver damage, cramps.

The rhododendron is highly toxic. It contains plant toxins (grayanotoxins) that impair the normal function of the skeletal muscles, the heart muscle and the nerves. All parts of the plant are considered poisonous, and eating as little as 0.2% of an animal’s body weight can cause poisoning. (See also “Azaleas” above.)

Consequences: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite; disturbed heart rate, cardiac arrhythmia, low blood pressure (hypotension), tremors, temporary blindness, loss of coordination, seizures and, in the worst cases, coma or death.

Spatiphyllum is another plant of the arum family (Araceae). Like the other plants of this family, it contains calcium oxalate crystals, as well as oxalic acid and its salts. The active ingredients have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as on the heart, kidneys and central nervous system.

Consequences: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, bleeding in the body, breathing and swallowing difficulties and – if a large amount is eaten – cramps, heart arrhythmia, damage to the kidneys and liver, low blood pressure, movement disorders.

This plant contains naturally occurring poisons that affect the heart (see also “Foxglove,” “Kalanchoe” and “Oleander”). These active substances (which resemble digitalis or digoxin) interfere with the electrolyte balance of the heart muscle. The severity of the poisoning will depend on the particular plant, the part of the plant that is eaten and how much is ingested.

Consequences: Nausea, vomiting, drooling, dilated pupils, trembling, seizures, abnormal heart rhythm and heart rate and dangerously high potassium levels.

All parts of the tulip are toxic to animals, but the highest concentration of toxin is in the bulb. If parts of the plant or bulb are chewed or swallowed, irritation of the mouth and oesophagus may occur, as well as irritation of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in impaired digestion of nutrients.

Consequences: Vomiting, drooling, diarrhoea, irritation of the mouth and oesophagus, increased heart rate, changes in breathing.