Your springtime guide to protecting your pet from poisonous plants

Springtime is when we (hopefully) say “goodbye” to rain and “hello” to some sun, meaning we and our pets spend more time outdoors.

Now, we don’t want to cause too much alarm, but spring also means some poisonous plants try to get some of their sun, too.

Here, we list poisonous spring plants for pets, how to avoid them and how you and your pet can enjoy that British sunshine while it lasts.

Poisonous spring plants to look out for - summarised

Poisonous springtime plants, listed

Amaryllis

Toxicity level: Moderate

Toxic part: All of it, but the bulbs are the highest-risk

• Why it’s dangerous: Amaryllis contain lycorine, a highly toxic alkaloid that’s harmful to pets. The flower has it as a defence mechanism against herbivores. They also contain raphide oxalate crystals, which cause less severe symptoms like drooling and upset tummies.

• Specific symptoms: Appetite changes, diarrhoea, drooling, low blood pressure, signs of pain, tremors and vomiting.

• How to avoid: Keep well out of reach of dogs and consider not keepingin the home at all for cats. Choose safe alternatives, like orchids, instead.

Bluebells

Toxicity level: Moderate

Toxic part: All of it

• Why it’s dangerous: Bluebells contain glycosides and saponins. If ingested, these plants can cause severe stomach upsets as well as bradycardia (lowered heart rate). Possible skin irritation can be caused by the saponins within the plant. Every part of the plant is toxic.

• Specific symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, abdominal pain, lowered heart rate and lethargy. Skin irritation may occur.

• How to avoid: Keep your dog close by on walks through bluebell woods and fence areas of your garden off from your pet if you have bluebells at home.

Crocuses

Toxicity level: Moderate to severe risk

Toxic part: All of it, but the bulbs are the highest-risk

• Why it’s dangerous: Crocuses are toxic to pets, but especially the autumn crocus. Spring crocuses may be more commonly found, depending on geographic location, and these will cause general gastrointestinal upset if consumed. Autumn crocuses are much more dangerous as these contain a toxic alkaloid known as colchinine. Signs of colchinine poisoning can be severe and may have a delayed onset. If you are unsure which type of crocus your pet has consumed make sure to bring the plant/flower with you for identification when you seek veterinary help.

• Specific symptoms: Spring crocus may cause gastrointestinal upset like vomiting, diarrhoea and drooling. If the autumn crocus is eaten gastrointestinal signs can be much more severe, as well as liver or kidney damage, seizures, respiratory failure and death.

• How to avoid: Don’t plant crocuses in your garden at home, especially autumn ones. Keep your dog close by in public areas where these are planted.

Daffodils

Toxicity level: High.

Toxic part: All parts, but the bulbs are most toxic.

• Why it’s dangerous: Contains lycorine. Ingesting even a small amount of the bulb can be very serious as the toxin is most-concentrated here. However,even the water in a vase of daffodils can become toxic.

• Specific symptoms: Severe vomiting, profuse salivation, tremors, and occasionally heart rhythm or respiratory abnormalities.

• How to avoid: Never leave daffodil bouquets within reach. When gardening, never leave bulbs lying on the soil surface where a dog might "fetch" them.

Hyacinths

Toxicity level: High.

Toxic part: The bulb is the primary danger zone.

• Why it’s dangerous: High concentrations of allergenic lactones and alkaloids which can cause intense localised irritation and systemic distress.

• Specific symptoms: Intense oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhoea. If large amounts are ingested, then changes in heart rate and breathing difficulties may be seen.

• How to avoid: Store unplanted bulbs in sealed containers in a garage or shed where pets cannot reach them.

Irises

Toxicity level: Mild.

Toxic part: All parts, but the rhizomes (roots/bulbs) are the most potent.

• Why it’s dangerous: Contains the toxin irisin, which is a gastrointestinal irritant.

• Specific symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, and occasionally skin irritation if the pet rolls on crushed irises.

• How to avoid: Plant irises in the center of flower beds rather than the edges, making them harder for pets to reach.

Lilies (True Lilies)

Toxicity level: EXTREME (for cats) / Moderate (for dogs).

Toxic part: All parts—including the pollen and the water in the vase.

• Why it’s dangerous: For cats, true lilies (like Easter, Tiger, or Asiatic lilies) cause rapid, total kidney failure. For dogs, they usually only cause stomach upset.

• Specific symptoms: Cats - Vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and acute kidney failure, which can be fatal Dogs - General GI upset.

• How to avoid: Cat owners should never have true lilies in the home. Even brushing against the pollen and licking it off their fur can be fatal.

Rhododendrons and Azaleas

Toxicity level: High.

Toxic part: All parts, especially the leaves.

• Why it’s dangerous: They contain grayanotoxins, which disrupt the sodium channels in the body, affecting skeletal and cardiac muscle.

• Specific symptoms: Excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, loss of coordination, and potential cardiovascular collapse.

• How to avoid: These are common "boundary" bushes. Ensure your pet isn't chewing on low-hanging branches or fallen leaves in the garden.

Tulips

Toxicity level: High.

Toxic part: All parts of the plant/flower, but toxins are most concentrated in the bulb.

• Why it’s dangerous: Contains toxic glycosides, Tulipalin A and B, which are highly irritating to the digestive system.

• Specific symptoms: Profuse drooling, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

• How to avoid: If your dog is a "digger," use physical barriers like chicken wire over your tulip beds to prevent them from getting to the bulbs. Keep bulbs out of reach and in sealed containers when awaiting planting.

Wild Garlic (Ramsons)

Toxicity level: Moderate to severe.

Toxic part: All parts (bulbs, leaves, and flowers).

• Why it’s dangerous: Part of the Allium family; it causes oxidative damage to red blood cells, which can lead to anaemia.

• Specific symptoms: Pale gums, rapid heart rate, lethargy, and dark-coloured urine. Symptoms are often delayed by a few days, but can appear sooner if large quantities are eaten.

• How to avoid: Be vigilant on walks in damp, shaded woodlands. The strong smell usually attracts dogs, so keep them moving if they start sniffing a patch intensely.

If you suspect your pet has consumed one of the plants on this list then call your vet or the Animal PoisonLine for immediate advice.

Prompt treatment often leads to a better outcome for your pet.

How to avoid poisonous plants when you’re out and about with your pet

A lot of this depends on your pet. Many cats and dogs won’t take notice of plants, while others will become obsessed over certain types.

Mainly, it’s about preparation and staying calm - we don’t want you to spend your entire walk worrying, and proactivity can help with that.

Dr Rebecca MacMillan says:

‘In most cases, problems are unlikely to occur unless your pet enjoys eating plants or they have a knack for digging up toxin-concentrated bulbs. If you are walking in an area where poisonous plants are known to grow you must keep your pet close by.

This will help you to monitor their behaviour and allow you to redirect them if they are showing too much interest. For some dogs, you may want to consider a muzzle to stop them eating anything they shouldn’t do - especially if they have previous form!’

Other spring hazards to look out for

Grass seeds

• Grass seeds are small and usually a green, or light-brown colour.

• They can get stuck in a dog’s eyes, ears, nose, and skin - especially between toes. Some can even migrate from their original entry point causing problems elsewhere in the body.

• You can prevent it by avoiding areas with lots of grass seeds, checking your dog after a walk and making sure their fur is kept well-groomed.

• You must see a vet to get them removed, as they’re potentially a major issue.

Read our grass seed prevention guide for more in-depth advice.

Toadstools

• Mushrooms, like toadstools, love spring, and they’re very dangerous for our pets, especially dogs.

• Wild mushrooms and toadstools are highly toxic and potentially fatal for pets.

• You must take your pet to a vet immediately and bring a sample, if possible, of the ingested mushroom with you.

Our article on mushroom poisoning in dogs has more details.

Symptom checker - how to know if your pet has eaten something dodgy

Symptoms can include:

• Behaviour changes, like agitation or excessive lethargy

• Cardiovascular problems indicated by fast or irregular heart rates, pale gums and collapse

• Changes in habits, especially drinking, loss of appetite and peeing

• Excessive drooling

• Neurological symptoms like tremors or seizures

• Persistent diarrhoea, vomiting or abdominal pain

• Respiratory problems like coughing and rapid breathing

Symptoms can appear in minutes, hours and even days, depending on the toxin and how much was consumed.

You must always see a vet immediately if you notice any of the symptoms on this list - do not wait and see.

What should I do if my pet has been poisoned or eaten something toxic?

They must see a vet immediately. Before seeing the vet, you should try to:

• Take your pet away from what they’ve eaten, so that they can’t consume any more.

• Try to get a sample of it if it’s safe to do so.

• Wash the skin/fur with mild soap if it has any of the substance(s) on it e.g. lily pollen in cats. You could also consider putting a buster collar/cone on to stop your pet from licking their fur and ingesting toxins.

• Consider contacting the Animal PoisonLine for immediate advice. Your vet can also follow up this initial call with help from the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), if required, for more detailed recommendations on your pet’s care and treatment.

You should never induce vomiting.

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