Toxic to dogs · Plants

Is English Ivy toxic to dogs?

Low severity

English Ivy is mildly toxic to dogs. Severe cases are rare, but it can cause discomfort and is best kept out of reach.

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Is English ivy toxic to dogs and cats?

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What to do right now

  1. Call your vet or an animal poison line as soon as possible for advice, even if your dog seems fine. In the US: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435.
  2. Take away any leaves, stems or berries and keep your dog away from the plant. Merck says removing the plant is ideal to stop a pet eating more.
  3. Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to. Whether it is safe depends on the situation, so the vet decides.
  4. If your dog has ivy sap on its skin, wash it off with soap and water.
  5. Note which plant it was, roughly how much your dog ate and when. Many plants share the name ivy, so the scientific name helps (Hedera helix for English ivy). If it was a syrup, keep the bottle.

Go to an emergency vet if

  • Your dog keeps vomiting or has diarrhea that doesn't stop. The main concerns with ivy are dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
  • Your dog seems very tired, stops eating, or seems to have belly pain.
  • Your dog already has a long-term stomach or gut condition. Merck says these animals may need longer treatment.
  • Your dog swallowed a syrup made with ivy extract for people.

Symptoms to watch for

  • Drooling
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

How much is dangerous

None of the sources we checked gives a toxic dose of English ivy for dogs. The Merck Veterinary Manual says the toxin is poorly absorbed when eaten, so only limited effects are seen, and a large amount causes stomach and gut signs such as abdominal discomfort and diarrhea. For this group of stomach-irritant plants, Merck adds that animals can generally eat large amounts at once, or nibble the leaves over time, without severe effects. Pet Poison Helpline rates the toxicity for dogs as mild. Your vet judges the risk from what your dog ate, roughly how much, and its size.

When signs appear

None of the sources we checked says how soon signs start after a dog eats ivy. Pet Poison Helpline says drooling, vomiting and diarrhea are expected after pets eat it. For stomach-irritant plants such as ivy, the Merck Veterinary Manual says most animals recover within 24 to 48 hours, and those with an existing stomach or gut disease may need longer treatment.

Why it's dangerous

The leaves and berries contain pentacyclic terpenoids which act as irritants to the gastrointestinal tract upon ingestion.

Toxic compound: pentacyclic terpenoids

How vets treat it

Treatment targets the stomach and gut signs. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes symptomatic and supportive care: anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea medicines, a bland diet, and treatment to correct dehydration, with electrolyte supplements. In a 2021 case report, a dog with gastroenteritis from an ivy extract syrup improved with supportive treatment, and the authors say stopping the syrup at once is part of managing it.

Outlook

The outlook is excellent, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual: most animals recover within 24 to 48 hours after eating stomach-irritant plants such as ivy. Dogs with an existing stomach or gut disease may need longer treatment.

Where pets are exposed

  • English ivy (Hedera helix), an evergreen climbing vine. It is a common houseplant and grows outdoors as wall cover, climbing fences, walls and trees.
  • Its many varieties, also sold as branching, glacier, needlepoint, sweetheart and California ivy, and related Hedera ivies such as canary ivy.
  • The leaves and berries, which contain irritant saponins. The berries are black when ripe. The ASPCA says the foliage is more toxic than the berries.
  • The sap. Pet Poison Helpline says it also contains the saponins, and that contact with it may irritate a pet's skin.
  • Syrups made with ivy extract (Hedera helix) for people. A dog given one of these syrups developed gastroenteritis.

Prevention

  • Keep ivy houseplants out of your pet's reach, or remove them if your pet chews plants.
  • Outdoors, keep an eye on dogs that chew plants where ivy grows on fences, walls or trees.
  • When you prune ivy, keep pets away and clear up the clippings. The ASPCA says the foliage is more toxic than the berries.
  • Keep medicines for people, including syrups made with ivy extract, out of your pet's reach, and never give them to a pet without your vet's advice.

Good to know

Severe signs are reported experimentally but are not expected in typical pet exposures.

Common questions

Is English ivy toxic to dogs and cats?

Yes, usually mildly. Its leaves and berries contain saponins that irritate the stomach and gut, causing drooling, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The Merck Veterinary Manual says the toxin is poorly absorbed, so only limited effects are seen, and Pet Poison Helpline rates its toxicity for dogs and cats as mild. Call your vet or a pet poison line if your pet eats some.

Which part of English ivy is poisonous?

Mainly the leaves. The toxins are saponins: the ASPCA names hederagenin, and the Merck Veterinary Manual names hederin, found in the leaves and berries. The ASPCA says the foliage is more toxic than the berries, and Pet Poison Helpline says the sap contains the saponins too.

Can English ivy sap irritate my pet's skin?

It may. Pet Poison Helpline says skin contact with ivy sap may lead to irritation with redness and scratching. In people, the Merck Veterinary Manual says allergic skin reactions to ivy are common, and a Hong Kong clinical toxicology atlas reports most cases while pruning the plant. If your pet has sap on its skin, wash it off with soap and water, and ask your vet if the skin stays red or your pet keeps scratching.

Can I give my dog ivy syrup made for people?

No. A 2021 case report describes a 1-year-old dog weighing 24 kg that developed gastroenteritis after it was given a Hedera helix extract syrup meant only for people. It improved with supportive treatment, and the authors say the syrup should be stopped at once. They consider that high doses of such syrups may cause severe, life-threatening gastroenteritis. Ask your vet before giving your pet any medicine made for people.

Is devil's ivy the same as English ivy?

No. Devil's ivy, also called pothos, is a different plant (Epipremnum aureum). The Merck Veterinary Manual says chewing any part of it causes immediate intense pain in the mouth. Merck notes that plants sharing a common name can have different levels of toxicity, so tell your vet the scientific name if you can.

Sources

This page is informational and is not veterinary advice. If your pet has been exposed to something risky, contact your vet or an animal poison control line right away.

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