Are deer-resistant plants safe for dogs?

Not all deer-resistant plants are safe for dogs. Many plants deer avoid — such as foxglove, daffodils, and bleeding heart — are toxic to dogs. Always verify pet safety separately. PlantWise filters for plants that meet both criteria simultaneously.

Do deer eat dog-safe plants?

Some dog-safe plants are also deer-resistant, but not all. Deer tend to avoid aromatic plants like Catmint and Salvia, which are also not listed as toxic to dogs. However, deer may browse any plant when food is scarce. No plant is 100% deer-proof.

What is the best deer-resistant and dog-safe ground cover?

Top deer-resistant and dog-safe ground covers include Catmint (Nepeta), Creeping Phlox, and ornamental grasses. These spread to cover ground, are consistently avoided by deer, and are not listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA.

Deer Resistant & Dog Safe Plants | 158+ Varieties

158

Deer-Resistant & Dog-Safe Varieties

USDA Zones Covered

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Plant Categories

What Plants Are Both Deer-Resistant and Dog-Safe?

There are 158 plants that are both deer-resistant and not listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA. These include perennials like Catmint, Coneflower, and Salvia; shrubs like Fothergilla and Spirea; and ornamental grasses like Karl Foerster. All are rated as low-preference by deer in most conditions and are not on the ASPCA toxic plants list.

Note: No plant is 100% deer-proof, and "not listed as toxic" does not guarantee zero risk. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.

The Best of Both Worlds: Deer-Proof and Dog-Friendly

Finding plants that satisfy both requirements — deer won't eat them AND they're safe for dogs — narrows the field considerably, but 158 excellent options remain. This combination is especially valuable for suburban and rural gardens where deer pressure is high and dogs roam freely.

All plants on this page are rated as deer-resistant in most conditions and are not listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA. Use our personalized plant advisor to filter further by zone, sun exposure, and height.

All Deer-Resistant All Dog-Safe All Pet-Safe Low-Maintenance Shade-Tolerant

Featured Deer-Resistant & Dog-Safe Plants

Agastache

Agastache foeniculum

Zones 4–8

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators

Ajuga

Ajuga reptans

Zones 3–10

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🐝 Pollinators

American Hornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana

Zones 3–9

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators

Amsonia

Amsonia tabernaemontana

Zones 3–9

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators

Apache Plume

Fallugia paradoxa

Zones 5–10

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators

Armeria Sea Thrift

Armeria maritima

Zones 4–8

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🐝 Pollinators

Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Zones 3–8

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators

Astilbe

Astilbe x arendsii

Zones 4–8

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🐝 Pollinators

Bayberry

Myrica pensylvanica

Zones 3–7

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators

Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

Zones 6–10

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators

Bee Balm

Monarda didyma

Zones 4–9

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators

Black Gum

Nyssa sylvatica

Zones 4–9

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Zones 3–9

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators

Blanket Flower

Gaillardia aristata

Zones 3–10

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators

Blazing Star

Liatris spicata

Zones 3–9

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators

Blue Fescue

Festuca glauca

Zones 4–8

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†

Blue Grama Grass

Bouteloua gracilis

Zones 3–10

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native

Blue Oat Grass

Helictotrichon sempervirens

Zones 4–9

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†

Boltonia

Boltonia asteroides

Zones 4–8

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators

Bottlebrush Grass

Elymus hystrix

Zones 3–8

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native

Brittlebush

Encelia farinosa

Zones 8–11

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators

Buffalo Grass

Bouteloua dactyloides

Zones 3–9

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native

Buffalo Grass

Bouteloua dactyloides

Zones 3–9

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Zones 5–9

🦌 Deer-Resistant🐕 Dog†🐱 Cat†🌎 Native🐝 Pollinators

View All 158 Deer-Resistant & Dog-Safe Plants →

Wildlife Resistance Note: No plant is 100% deer-proof. Deer behavior varies by region, season, and food availability. These plants are consistently rated as low-preference by deer in most conditions, but hungry deer may browse any plant.

Pet Safety Note†: “Dog safe” means not listed as toxic by the ASPCA — it does not guarantee zero reaction if consumed in large quantities. If your dog ingests any plant and shows symptoms, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.