Boston Terrier That bright little pothos sitting on your windowsill looks completely innocent. Trailing vines, cheerful green leaves, zero maintenance. But to a curious Boston Terrier with a nose for everything and absolutely zero impulse control, it’s basically an all-you-can-eat buffet with consequences.
Houseplants and Boston Terriers are a combination people rarely think twice about. They should.
These little dogs are relentlessly curious. They sniff, they mouth, they chew things they have no business chewing. And because they’re low to the ground and surprisingly determined, anything within reach is fair game.
The danger isn’t just in the chewing. Some plants cause harm through skin contact, pollen, or even the water that collects in their drip trays.
This list covers five plants that show up in homes all the time, ones that look harmless and often get gifted or purchased without a second thought. If any of these are sitting in your living room right now, keep reading.
1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Why It’s Everywhere
Pothos is the houseplant of people who claim they can’t keep houseplants alive. It grows in low light. It survives neglect. It looks great in a hanging basket or trailing down a bookshelf.
It’s also toxic to dogs.
What It Does
Pothos contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. When a dog chews the leaves or stems, those crystals act like tiny needles in the mouth, throat, and digestive tract.
Symptoms can show up fast: drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, and obvious signs of oral irritation. In severe cases, there can be swelling in the throat, which gets serious quickly.
Boston Terriers are already a breed prone to breathing difficulties. Throat swelling is not something to wait out.
Your dog doesn’t have to eat a significant amount for it to cause a reaction. Even a single chewed leaf can trigger symptoms.
What to Do
Move it up high, or move it out entirely. If your Boston is a climber (and some absolutely are), "up high" may not be enough.
2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
The Most Deceptive Plant on This List
Peace lilies are gorgeous. Deep green leaves, elegant white blooms, and they thrive indoors without much fuss. They get gifted at housewarming parties, placed in offices, set on coffee tables.
That last one is a problem.
The Toxicity
Like pothos, peace lilies contain calcium oxalate crystals. The entire plant is considered toxic: leaves, stems, flowers, and roots.
What makes the peace lily particularly tricky is the flower. It’s eye-catching, and curious dogs are drawn to novelty. A Boston Terrier spotting a new bloom on the coffee table is going to investigate.
Symptoms mirror those of pothos exposure: oral irritation, drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting. Repeated exposure can lead to more serious gastrointestinal issues.
A Common Misconception
Many people confuse "low toxicity" with "safe." Peace lilies fall into a gray area in some guides, but low toxicity doesn’t mean no risk, especially for smaller dogs or puppies. A 15-pound Boston Terrier has far less margin than a 70-pound Lab.
3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The Trendy One
The ZZ plant has had a serious moment in home décor over the last several years. Glossy leaves, architectural shape, tolerates drought like a champ. Interior designers love it.
It also contains calcium oxalate compounds throughout the entire plant.
Why This One Gets Overlooked
Here’s the thing about ZZ plants: they don’t look dangerous. There are no thorns, no dramatic warning signals, nothing visually alarming. They just sit there looking sleek and modern.
That low-key appearance may actually make them more of a hazard because owners don’t think twice about leaving them at floor level.
Symptoms to Watch For
Oral irritation is the most immediate sign. Vomiting and diarrhea can follow. In some cases, skin irritation occurs just from sap contact, which means your dog doesn’t even need to chew it for a reaction to happen.
Wash your hands after handling ZZ plants, too. That same sap can irritate human skin.
4. Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
This One Is Different
Everything on this list so far causes discomfort and requires veterinary attention. Sago palm is in a different category entirely.
This plant can be fatal.
The Details
Sago palms are popular both indoors and in landscaping, especially in warmer climates. They look tropical and dramatic, and they’re widely sold at garden centers without much in the way of warning labels.
Every single part of the plant is toxic: seeds, leaves, roots. The seeds (which look like nuts) are the most dangerous and contain cycasin, a compound that causes severe liver failure in dogs.
Sago palm poisoning has one of the highest fatality rates of any plant toxicity in dogs. Time to treatment matters enormously.
Symptoms begin with vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy, often within 15 minutes of ingestion. Liver failure can develop within 2 to 3 days.
No Amount Is Safe
There is no safe dose here. If you have a sago palm anywhere in your home or yard and you have a Boston Terrier, the calculus is simple: one of them needs to go.
This isn’t an overreaction. Veterinary toxicologists consistently flag this plant as one of the most dangerous for household pets.
5. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
The Wellness Plant with a Catch
Aloe vera sits in millions of kitchens and bathrooms. People use it for sunburns, skin care, and general wellness. It’s been a household staple for generations.
It’s also toxic to dogs, which genuinely surprises most people.
What Makes It Harmful
The clear gel inside the leaves is generally considered non-toxic. The problem is the latex layer, a yellowish substance found just beneath the outer leaf skin, which contains compounds called anthraquinones.
In dogs, aloe ingestion typically causes vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and sometimes tremors. The severity depends on how much was consumed and the size of the dog.
The Boston Terrier Factor
Boston Terriers tend to be enthusiastic chewers, especially when bored. An aloe plant sitting at nose height is exactly the kind of thing a bored Boston will investigate and then destroy.
The tricky part with aloe is that owners often don’t make the connection. A dog vomiting after chewing an aloe plant might look like a simple stomach upset, and the plant doesn’t get suspected.
H3: The Wider Lesson Here
Aloe is a good reminder that "natural" does not automatically mean "safe." Many people assume that because a plant is used medicinally for humans, it must be benign for pets. That logic doesn’t hold.
What to Do If Your Boston Terrier Eats a Plant
Act First, Research Second
If you see your dog chewing on any plant and you’re not 100% certain it’s safe, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear.
Bring the plant, a photo of it, or its name to the call. The more information you can provide, the faster the response.
Know What You’re Working With
Do a walk-through of your home right now. Look at every plant. Look up each one using the ASPCA’s toxic plant database. It’s free, it’s thorough, and it takes about 20 minutes.
Twenty minutes is a very small investment for a dog who will chew first and feel terrible about it later.
Consider the Layout
Even non-toxic plants can cause digestive upset if eaten in quantity. Think about placement: hanging baskets, high shelves, and rooms your dog doesn’t have access to are all smart strategies.
And if a plant is toxic and you love it? Keep it at a friend’s place, put it in a dog-free room with a closed door, or find a beautiful non-toxic alternative. There are plenty.
Your Boston Terrier trusts you completely to make the space safe. That’s not a small thing.