Protect your pets: Common toxic plants to avoid

Many outdoor plants commonly found in New Zealand gardens can be harmful to pets. Whether you have a dog, cat, rabbit, or horse, it’s important to recognise plants that could pose a risk. From popular garden choices like lilies to common hedging plants such as yew, knowing the dangers can help keep your pets safe.

Jump to:
Common toxic outdoor plants for pets
How to tell if your pet ate a toxic plant
What to do if your pet’s eaten a toxic plant
How do vets treat plant poisoning?
How to keep your garden or outdoor space safe for your pets

Common toxic outdoor plants for pets in New Zealand

1. Yew (Taxus species)

Toxic to: Dogs, cats, horses, rabbits

Looks like: An evergreen shrub or tree with dark green needle-like leaves and bright red berries.

Yew is often used as a hedging plant, but it’s highly toxic to pets. Every part of the plant, especially the seeds, contains toxins that can cause vomiting, trembling, difficulty breathing, and even sudden death in severe cases.

2. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

Toxic to: Dogs, cats, horses, rabbits

Looks like: A tall plant with tubular, bell-shaped flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.

Foxglove is common in New Zealand gardens but is highly toxic. Ingestion can cause heart problems, vomiting, drooling, and, in severe cases, death. Keep pets away from these striking flowers.

3. Oleander (Nerium oleander)

Toxic to: Dogs, cats, rabbits, horses

Looks like: Evergreen shrubs with long, narrow leaves and flowers in shades of pink, red, white, or yellow.

Oleander contains toxic compounds that can severely affect the heart and digestive systems of pets. Symptoms include drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, irregular heartbeat, and, in severe cases, death.

4. Lily Species (e.g., Easter Lily, Tiger Lily)

Toxic to: Cats, dogs, rabbits

Looks like: Large, trumpet-shaped flowers in various colours, including white, pink, and yellow, on tall stems.

Lily species are extremely toxic to cats, even if they only ingest a small amount or come into contact with the pollen. They can cause kidney failure and, in severe cases, death. They are less harmful to dogs but can still cause digestive upset.

5. Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris)

Toxic to: Dogs, cats, rabbits, horses

Looks like: Tall plant, 30 to 100 cm tall, with bright yellow, daisy-like flowers blooming from November to April. Bushy with soft, feathery green leaves, it grows in fields, roadsides, and poor soils.

Ragwort is a common weed in New Zealand, but it’s more dangerous than it seems. For grazing animals like horses and cattle, it can cause severe, irreversible liver damage. Even pets like dogs and cats can become ill if they eat it. While it’s unlikely to show up in your backyard, if you own horses or livestock, keeping ragwort out of their grazing areas is essential.

6. Tutu (Coriaria arborea)

Toxic to: Dogs, cats, horses, rabbits

Looks like: Shrubs with dark green leaves, small purplish-black berries, and red stems.

Tutu is a native plant in New Zealand, but it is highly toxic to pets. It contains tutin, a neurotoxin that can cause symptoms such as vomiting, tremors, seizures, and even death if ingested.

7. Rhubarb Leaves (Rheum rhabarbarum)

Toxic to: Dogs, cats, horses, rabbits

Looks like: Leaves are large, wide, and slightly heart-shaped with a rich green colour. They have a crinkled or wavy texture and grow on thick, reddish stalks. The stalks are often the most prominent feature of the plant.

Rhubarb, a popular garden plant, has toxic leaves that are especially harmful to pets like rabbits, and guinea pigs. The high levels of oxalates can lead to kidney failure and serious calcium depletion in animals.

Further reading:
List of plants toxic to dogs
List of plants toxic to cats

How to tell if your pet ate a toxic plant

Symptoms of plant toxicity can look different depending on what kind of pet you have. Here’s a quick guide to help you spot some of the signs so you can get them to the veterinarian ASAP.

Signs your dog ate a toxic plant

Right away (within minutes to hours):
You might notice vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, trouble breathing, tiredness, or even seizures.

Later on (hours to days):
Signs of liver damage could show up, like yellowing skin (jaundice), stomach pain, vomiting, fatigue, or neurological issues.

Signs your cat ate a toxic plant

Right away (within minutes to hours):
You might notice vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, trouble breathing, extreme tiredness, or even seizures.

Later on (hours to days):
Watch for signs like swelling, feeling really sluggish, peeing less than usual (which could mean kidney issues), or even some neurological changes.

Signs your horse ate a toxic plant

Right away (within minutes to hours):
Watch for colic, sweating, a rapid heartbeat, or tremors.

Later on (hours to days):
You might notice neurological issues like seizures, tremors, or confusion. Other signs include trouble breathing, liver problems like vomiting, diarrhoea, or jaundice, and even lethargy.

Signs your rabbit ate a toxic plant

Right away (within minutes to hours):
Look out for diarrhoea, bloating, or a loss of appetite.

Later on (hours to days):
Lethargy or trouble breathing can be signs something’s wrong.

What to do if your pet’s eaten a toxic plant

Sometimes, accidents happen, no matter how careful we are. If you’re worried your pet nibbled on a harmful plant, try these steps:

• Gently remove any plant bits from their mouth (but only if it’s safe).
• Call your vet ASAP and let them know what plant it was and any symptoms you’ve noticed.
• Don’t make your pet vomit unless your vet tells you to.
• Bring a piece of the plant with you to the vet – it’ll help them figure out the toxin faster.
• You can also call the New Zealand Animal Poisons Helpline on 0800 869 738.

How do veterinarians treat plant poisoning?

It really depends on the plant and how bad the symptoms are. Here’s what vets might do:

• Make your pet vomit or use activated charcoal to soak up the toxins.
• Give IV fluids to keep them hydrated.
• Use medications to handle things like seizures or heart problems.
• Hospitalise them if it’s a serious case.

How to keep your garden or backyard safe for your pet

It’s easier to remove harmful plants than to stop your pets from exploring every corner of the yard. Here’s how to create a pet-safe outdoor space:

• Start by identifying toxic plants. Check the list at the top of this blog for common offenders. If you spot any, remove them completely – roots and all!
• If removing the plant isn’t possible, consider fencing off the area.
• When planning your garden, stick with pet-safe plants such as kōwhai, hebe, or native grasses.
• Always supervise your pets when they’re outside to ensure they don’t eat anything harmful.

By following these steps, you can have a garden that’s not just beautiful but also safe for your pets. Putting in a little effort now can save you a lot of stress later, so your pet can enjoy the outdoors without any worries!