Is it toxic to dogs?
English ivy
Hedera helix · Araliaceae
Also called Branching ivy, Glacier ivy, Needlepoint ivy, Sweetheart ivy, California ivy
Toxic to dogs
Severity: Mild
Yes. The ASPCA lists English ivy as toxic to dogs. Chewing it usually brings on drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, and the leaves are more of a problem than the berries.
- Toxic parts
- Leaves and foliage (more toxic), Berries (less toxic)
- Toxic compounds
- Triterpenoid saponins (hederagenin)
- Where you’ll find it
- House and garden
Signs of poisoning
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Drooling (hypersalivation)
- Diarrhea
- Mouth and tongue swelling or trouble breathing (the AKC lists these for certain ivy varieties)
Why it’s harmful to dogs
English ivy is the evergreen climber that scrambles over walls, carpets shady ground and spills out of hanging baskets and holiday wreaths. Its lobed leaves contain triterpenoid saponins, soap-like compounds that irritate the digestive tract. The ASPCA notes that the foliage is more toxic than the berries.
The Merck Veterinary Manual names hederin, a saponin in the leaves and berries, as the key compound. It adds that the toxin is poorly absorbed, so only limited effects are usually seen, and it groups ivy with the plants that cause mild to moderate stomach upset. Most dogs that eat some end up with a sore stomach rather than anything dramatic.
Exposure is easy because ivy grows at dog height. Dogs chew trailing stems in the yard, grab fallen vines, or nose into a basket on the porch. "Devil's ivy" is not true ivy at all; it is pothos, which has its own toxic profile.
If your dog ate english ivy
Gently clear any leaves from your dog's mouth and keep them away from the rest of the vine. Watch for drooling, vomiting and diarrhea. Merck notes that treatment mainly means correcting dehydration, so a dog that cannot keep water down needs a vet.
Call your vet, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (US; fees may apply), if your dog ate a large amount, vomits repeatedly, has swelling around the mouth, or has any trouble breathing. Trouble breathing is an emergency; head to the nearest clinic. Outside the US, contact your local emergency vet. Never try to make your dog vomit at home.
Keeping your dog safe
Pull ivy back from fences and ground-level borders where your dog patrols, and hang baskets well out of reach. Rake up trimmings quickly, because cut vines are just as chewable as living ones.
Teach a dependable "leave it" and reward your dog for ignoring plants on walks. For a trailing look indoors, a spider plant or Boston fern gives you the same softness without the risk.
Dog-safe alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Are ivy berries or leaves more dangerous?
The ASPCA says the foliage is more toxic than the berries. Both are still on the unsafe list.
Is devil's ivy the same as English ivy?
No. Devil's ivy is another name for pothos, a different plant with a different toxin. Both are toxic to dogs, but they are not the same plant.
Is a small nibble of ivy an emergency?
Usually not. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes limited toxic effects with a poorly absorbed toxin. Call your vet if your dog keeps vomiting, swells around the mouth or struggles to breathe.
Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy