Are daffodils poisonous to dogs?

Updated 01/09/2023

A popular bloom that can brighten up any home or garden - and a surefire sign that springtime is (finally) on its merry way.

If you've caught your pooch munching through a bunch of daffodils, though, it's only natural to worry - after all, there are so many poisonous plants that dogs need to avoid out there. So, are daffodils toxic to dogs - and what should you do if you catch them eating one? Let's explore.

Are daffodils toxic to dogs? 

Yes - daffodils are toxic to dogs. All parts of the plant are toxic, including the bulbs, leaves, stems, and flowers - even the water your daffodil plant sits in can be dangerous to dogs if consumed.

Are daffodil bulbs poisonous to dogs?

Yes - while all parts of the plant are considered toxic, daffodil bulbs contain the most amount of toxins and are the cause of most cases of daffodil poisoning. The dust of a daffodil bulb is also toxic to dogs and can damage the lungs. 

What makes daffodils toxic to dogs?

Good question. Daffodils - a part of the Amaryllidaceae family - contain lycorine, a naturally occurring alkaloid crystal that is toxic when eaten. It can cause a number of extremely unpleasant symptoms for our pooch pals, but in worst-case scenarios, can also lead to cardiac and respiratory issues. In the worst cases, these issues can cause death. As if that wasn’t bad enough, daffodils also contain calcium oxalate crystals, needle-like crystals found within the plant that can cause intense pain and irritation in the mouth, tongue, lips, and throat. It can trigger an inflammatory reaction, and can also cause skin problems. 

Daffodil poisoning

Symptoms

Symptoms (and the severity of symptoms) can depend on a few factors, including which part of the daffodil your pooch has eaten, the amount that has been eaten, and the general health of your dog. According to the ASPCA, the most common signs and symptoms to watch out for include: 

• Vomiting/diarrhea
• Salvation (dribbling/drooling)
• Convulsions
• Low blood pressure
• Tremors
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Irritation to the tongue/lips

Chewing or eating a daffodil can irritate and inflame your pup’s mouth and gastrointestinal tract, which may lead to drooling and in extreme cases, difficulty breathing. Of course, eating a daffodil isn’t the only way your pooch can fall ill. Inhaling the dust of a daffodil or coming into contact with the bulb may also produce the following symptoms: 

Inhalation: 

• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Spasms

Skin contact:

• Blisters
• Redness 
• Rash

It is important to remember that your pet may not have all/any of these symptoms. Therefore, if you have any suspicion that your pet may have eaten parts of daffodils, it’s recommended to contact your veterinarian immediately. Seeking prompt veterinary attention for your pet will give them the best chance of making a recovery.

Diagnosis

If you suspect your dog ate daffodil bulbs (or any part of the daffodil plant), call your vet as soon as possible for advice. If possible, take a piece of the plant with you along to the vet’s office, and make a note of any symptoms your pooch is showing. 

The severity of symptoms can depend on a number of factors - including how much your pooch has eaten, which part of the plant they've consumed, as well as your dog’s size and general health.

Treatment

The course of treatment your vet takes will depend on the circumstances and the severity of your pup's symptoms. In this case, only your vet will be able to advise on the correct course of treatment for your pooch. 

If your dog has eaten a daffodil, it's likely your vet will aim to limit and flush the number of toxins in your dog's system - most commonly, this is done by inducing vomiting and/or feeding your pet activated charcoal. It’s not recommended to attempt to induce vomiting at home, as there is a very high risk of choking and other complications. This could put your beloved pet in further danger. IV fluids (a drip) may also be administered to help keep your dog hydrated and aid recovery. Do be prepared that your dog may need to be kept in for observation for at least the next 24 hours. Depending on your pet’s response to treatment, your veterinarian may recommend your pet is hospitalized for longer than this.

In cases where daffodil dust has been inhaled, they may also need to be put on oxygen. For skin irritation, your pooch will be treated with medicated creams to help ease the irritation and reduce itching. 

In extreme cases, daffodil poisoning can be fatal (if symptoms are left untreated or your dog has eaten a large amount of the bulb of the plant). Seeking prompt veterinary advice as soon as you suspect your pet may have been in contact with daffodils will give them the best chance of recovery. Your vet will be able to advise on how best to treat your pet’s individual case.

Meet our veterinary expert, Evie

This article has been checked by veterinarian Evie Moloney RCVS. Evie is a vet surgeon who graduated from the University College Dublin, which is the only university offering the veterinary medicine degree in Ireland. She really enjoys surgery and has also worked as an emergency and critical care vet. She is passionate about sharing education about preventative health care 
for pets, especially the importance of regular dog and cat teeth brushing at home. She also enjoys helping owners find practical solutions for keeping pets as comfortable as possible while living with conditions such as arthritis. When not working, she enjoys hiking and swimming. 

So, short answer: can dogs eat daffodils? No! Unfortunately, daffodils aren’t the only poisonous plants that dogs should avoid - there are plenty more plants that can do our pooches harm. Here are a few more to watch out for:

• Aloe
• Wisteria
• Tulips
• Geraniums
• Peace lilies