Toxic Plants Your Pet Might Spot This Autumn

Fall is one of the best times to explore the outdoors with your pet. Cooler temperatures make for comfortable walks, gardens are filled with changing colors, and many native plants produce colorful berries and seeds that attract wildlife. But those same berries, leaves, and plants can be tempting to curious dogs and cats.

Learn how to identify dangerous and toxic plants that may be growing near you. Many native plants are poisonous, particularly if they are chewed or eaten. Knowing what grows in your yard, along your favorite walking trails, and in natural areas can help you recognize potential hazards before your pet gets curious.

Here are some common plants worth knowing about this autumn.

American Pokeweed

Scientific name: Phytolacca americana

American pokeweed is a native North American perennial that is widespread in North Carolina. It's especially noticeable in late summer and fall, when its dark purple-black berries develop on distinctive reddish-purple stems. Pokeweed can be attractive to wildlife—the berries are eaten by songbirds and various mammals—but all parts of the plant are poisonous to pets, according to NC State Extension. 

The plant can cause vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. Even the sap contains toxic compounds that can cause serious effects just from skin contact, so take caution when handling the plant. Because pokeweed is valuable to wildlife and native bees, you don't necessarily need to remove every plant from your property. Instead, consider keeping it away from areas where pets play or roam unsupervised.

Virginia Creeper

Scientific name: Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Virginia creeper is a native vine found throughout North Carolina and much of the eastern United States. It's particularly easy to notice in autumn because its foliage can develop striking red coloration. 

The plant is also a valuable wildlife food source, with its fruits eaten by birds and mammals. However, NC State Extension identifies Virginia creeper as poisonous and specifically lists its berries as toxic. If Virginia creeper grows along your fence, property line, or favorite walking route, keep pets from eating its berries.

Carolina Horse Nettle

Scientific name: Solanum carolinense

Despite its name, Carolina horse nettle isn't a true nettle. It's a native North American plant that can be found in fields, disturbed areas, roadsides, and other open habitats. The plant has green berries and small, white, star-shaped flowers. NC State Extension identifies Carolina horse nettle as poisonous and lists it as a problem for both dogs and cats. All parts of this plant are toxic, including the leaves, flowers, fruits, roots, and stems. The plant also has sharp prickles, creating an additional reason to keep curious pets away. Don’t allow your dog to chew unfamiliar plants during walks, particularly in overgrown fields and naturalized areas where Carolina horse nettle may grow.

Dogbane

Scientific name: Apocynum cannabinum

Dogbane is another native plant found in North Carolina. It can be particularly easy to overlook as the seasons change, but NC State Extension identifies it as poisonous to all pets. Its most distinctive feature in the fall is its tall red stems. Dogbane contains cardiac glycosides, and its poisonous parts include the flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, seeds, and stems. 

The plant also produces a milky sap that can cause skin irritation. If you're removing dogbane from an area pets can access, wearing appropriate protective gloves is also a sensible precaution.

Poke Milkweed

Scientific name: Asclepias exaltata

Poke milkweed is native to North Carolina and is most often associated with woodland habitats, forest edges, slopes, and other natural areas. This plant is easy to spot with its large, heart-shaped leaves and unusually shaped white flowers. It is particularly valuable to pollinators and other wildlife, however, NC State Extension classifies poke milkweed as poisonous to dogs and cats. Its toxicity is considered relatively low, but eating it can cause stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and lethargy. Its milky sap can also cause skin and eye irritation. 

Milkweeds are important native plants, so the goal isn't necessarily to remove them from your landscape. Instead, consider their location when designing a pet-friendly garden and prevent pets from chewing the plants.

Fetterbush

Scientific name: Lyonia mariana

Fetterbush, also known as maleberry or Piedmont staggerbush, is a native North Carolina shrub associated with woodland, coastal, and naturalized habitats. It is often used in native and pollinator gardens and it has adorable bell-shaped pink or white flowers. NC State Extension lists fetterbush as dangerous for dogs and cats. The plant contains grayanotoxins, and its flowers, leaves, and sap are all poisonous.

What to Do With Toxic Native Plants In Your Yard

Pet-safe gardening doesn't have to mean removing valuable native plants. Instead, consider where the plants are and whether your particular pet is likely to chew or eat them. If you're creating a native plant garden, check the toxicity of individual species before planting them in areas accessible to pets.

What If Your Pet Eats a Dangerous Plant?

If you see your pet eating a potentially toxic plant, take the situation seriously.

Contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic for guidance. If you're unsure what your pet ate, take a photograph of the plant or bring a sample for identification if it can be collected safely.

Don't attempt to make your pet vomit unless a veterinary professional specifically tells you to do so.

You can also contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for assistance.

If possible, have the following information available:

• Your pet's species and approximate weight

• The plant they consumed

• Which part of the plant they ate

• Approximately how much they consumed

• When the exposure occurred

• Any symptoms you've noticed

Prompt veterinary advice is particularly important when you suspect a potentially toxic exposure.

This article is intended for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for veterinary advice. Plant toxicity can vary depending on the species, part of the plant consumed, amount eaten, and individual animal. If you suspect your pet has ingested a potentially toxic plant, contact your veterinarian promptly.