Are delphiniums poisonous to dogs?

Updated 21/09/2034

Delphiniums, AKA larkspurs, are known for their rich shades of violet and striking presence as they stand tall in gardens around the world - we can see why they’re popular! If you’ve got furry friends at home, you might be wondering whether they’re safe for your pet family to be around. So, are delphiniums poisonous to dogs, or are they your next go-to perennial? Find out here.

Are delphiniums poisonous to dogs?

Is delphinium poisonous to dogs? Yes - they’re seriously toxic to our furry friends and ingestion of any part of the plant should be treated as an emergency. The plants contain diterpene alkaloids which prevent nerve signals from traveling from the brain to the muscles (and vice versa). This can cause all kinds of serious symptoms in your pup, including organ failure, heart rhythm irregularities, and even death. If your pooch has taken so much as a nibble from a delphinium plant, it’s vital you get to the nearest veterinarian as soon as possible.

Delphinium poisoning in dogs

So, now we know that delphiniums are toxic to dogs, what are the symptoms and possible treatments for your pooch? We’ll explore just that below to help you get in the know, but it’s vital that if your pup has ingested any part of the delphinium plant, you should get to a veterinarian immediately.

Symptoms

The symptoms your pooch experiences will depend on how much of the larkspur plant they ingested, but even if they’re not displaying any symptoms yet, you still need to get to a  veterinarian as soon as you can. The key symptom of delphinium poisoning in dogs is nerve blocking which can have all kinds of effects that we’ll list below:

• Constipation  
• Bloating  
• Abdominal pain  
• Diarrhea  
• Panting  
• Dark urine  
• Hypersalivation or drooling  
• Muscle tremors and twitching  
• Seizures  
• Weakness  
• Collapse  
• Stiffness  
• Paralysis  
• Death from cardiac failure or respiratory paralysis 

Diagnosis

If you can, try to take a sample of the plant your pooch ingested with you to your  veterinarian, or take a picture. This will help your vet to be sure on the type of poisoning your  pup is experiencing and the treatment that’s necessary for them. Below are some of the ways  in which your vet will determine your pup’s condition and the best possible treatments. 

• Physical examination checking your pup’s weight, heart rate, reflexes,  respiration, and temperature
• Urinalysis
• Blood tests
• X-rays
• CT scans
• Ultrasound
• MRI

Treatments

Once your vet has determined it’s delphinium poisoning your pup is suffering from, they may administer IV fluids and oxygen therapy. Your pooch may then be provided with physostigmine, atropine or muscle relaxants to reduce the signs your dog is showing. It’s likely your pooch will then be kept in for observation and treatment until they are fully recovered, which can be anywhere from one day to a more lengthy stay. Whilst most dogs recover after eating small amounts of delphinium, if large amounts of the plant have been eaten, it can be fatal even with treatment by a veterinarian. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.

Other plants that are poisonous for dogs

Sadly, many of the plants us humans decorate our gardens and homes with are poisonous to dogs. So, get clued-up on the plants poisonous to dogs, starting with those below.

• Hydrangea
• Sweet peas
• Geraniums
• Tulips