05/08/2026
It’s that time of year again — everyone is buying plants for the yard, patio, porch, and garden. 🌿
So… should you be worried about poisonous plants around your dog?
Honestly, it depends.
Does your dog eat plants?
Goose doesn’t really touch them. Maybe a little long grass once in a while, but he has no interest in trees, flowers, houseplants, or landscaping. Because of that, we do have some indoor and outdoor plants that technically aren’t pet-friendly.
But that’s the key: you have to know your dog.
Some dogs sniff and move on. Some dogs sample everything like they’re reviewing the garden menu.
Common New England plants that can be toxic to dogs include:
Azalea / Rhododendron
Tulips & Daffodils, especially the bulbs
Lily of the Valley
Yew
Hydrangea
Foxglove
Certain lilies
English ivy
Holly
Hyacinths
Iris
Autumn crocus
And of course… we don’t always have the “normal” plants around here. We love tropicals at Goose’s Good Eats, so you may see things like angel’s trumpet, sago palms, and voodoo lilies on display this summer.
Some plants are dangerous because of compounds that affect the heart, liver, nervous system, or stomach. Others, like many tropical plants, can irritate the mouth because of calcium oxalate crystals. Those can bother people too, but pets are at higher risk if they chew or swallow enough.
The goal isn’t to panic and throw away every plant you own.
The goal is to know your pets and set boundaries accordingly.
If your dog chews plants, digs in pots, eats mulch, or samples everything outside, it’s worth being extra careful with what you plant and where you place it.
If your dog is like Goose and couldn’t care less, the risk may look very different — but it’s still good to know what’s around your yard.
Real life pet safety is about knowing your dog, knowing your home, and making smart choices from there.
And as always: if you think your dog ate something toxic, call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control right away.
— Goose’s Good Eats