English Ivy

English Ivy

Hedera helix
Dogs: Moderate Cats: Moderate

Plant Information

Common Ivy, Hedera, Branching Ivy

Araliaceae

houseplant

Moderately Toxic

Toxicity Details

leaves (especially young leaves), berries

Triterpenoid saponins (hederagenin), polyacetylene compounds

1-6 hours

moderate

Symptoms to Watch For

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Drooling
  • Abdominal pain
  • Skin irritation (contact)

What to Do

Monitor for dehydration from vomiting/diarrhea. Wash skin if contact irritation. Vet visit if symptoms are severe.

About English Ivy

English Ivy is toxic both when eaten and through skin contact. The berries are more toxic than leaves. It's commonly grown indoors (as a trailing plant) and outdoors (ground cover, climbing), making exposure risk high for both indoor and outdoor pets.

Safe Alternatives

These plants provide a similar look but are non-toxic to pets: