Can dogs get poison ivy? Treating poison ivy on dogs

Updated 16/09/2024

Summertime is pooch season, but it’s also the perfect time of year for the poison ivy plant. But, can dogs get poison ivy, and, if so, how best to treat canine poison ivy encounters? Let’s learn all there is to know about dogs and poison ivy, how to protect our pups from meeting this green meanie, and the best things pet parents can do to prevent poison ivy from being so pesky to pets.

What does the poison ivy plant look like? 

The poison ivy plant is deceptively similar to regular English ivy (although this can be poisonous to dogs if eaten) and other bushel plants like blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry plants. However, unlike English ivy which is evergreen, the three teardrop-shaped leaves of poison ivy turn red in Fall and drop off in Winter. This means you’re most likely to see and encounter poison ivy come summer. A bit of a bummer when we all know how much pups love to play outside during this time.

Where can canine poison ivy contact happen?

For those of you based in the US, Canada, Central America, or East Asia countries, you’re probably all too familiar with the nasty itchy rash associated with the poison ivy plant. But, for any pet people based in Europe, Africa, or Australia, canine poison ivy isn’t something you need to worry about. Why? Well, it’s only found in the Americas and the east of Asia.

Although not a global problem, oh boy, do these plants love to grow! There’s almost nowhere the pesky poison ivy won’t grow (bar the blistering desert) and it loves to creep and crawl up the sides of trees, buildings, back gardens, front yards, and dark secluded woods.

How does poison ivy affect dogs?

Poison ivy on dogs can react similarly to us humans - it creates patches of itchy rash wherever the leaf has made contact with your pup (including inside their mouths). Ingesting poison ivy will also cause doggos a lot of discomfort and will cause severe tummy upsets.

In some unusual cases, pups can develop an allergic reaction to poison ivy oil called urushiol. This can be life-threatening and distressing to watch as it can cause seizures and put dogs into a coma.

Symptoms of poison ivy on dogs

There are a few different types of reactions that can happen when a dog comes into contact with poison ivy. Skin contact symptoms can include:

• Excessive scratching
• Persistent gnawing at the skin
• Swollen, tender red rashes
• Excessive licking
• Blistering or scabs on the skin

If you think your pup has eaten some poison ivy as well as touched it, some tell-tell signs include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hypersalivating

In rare cases where poison ivy has caused an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis (allergic shock), the symptoms can be a lot more frightening:

• Difficulty breathing
• Excessive drooling 
• Very fast heartbeat
• Seizures or convulsions
• Weak heartbeat
• Swelling of the face or mouth
• Loss of consciousness

If your dog displays any of the symptoms above, you must take them to a vet immediately.

Poison ivy treatment for dogs

If you know or think your dog has come into contact with poison ivy, even if you’re sure they haven’t had an allergic reaction, you’re always best taking them to their vet. While they may appear to have a painful rash which could be treated at home, delayed reactions can occur a few hours after poison ivy contact and the rash will improve faster with treatment from the vet. If they’ve accidentally eaten some, this will also need to be looked at and treated so contact your veterinarian.

If you need to pick up or touch your dog, make sure you’re wearing gloves to make sure none of that nasty urushiol oil touches you. Similarly, be sure to wash your clothes, your dog’s bedding, and any other fabrics they may have had contact with after the poison ivy incident to avoid further problems.

Once at the vet, before you treat poison ivy symptoms, all traces of urushiol will need to be removed with medicated dog shampoo or an oatmeal-based bath. Oatmeal is great for soothing sore skin, so this should offer your pup some relief while you try to remove those poison ivy traces.

Urushiol-free, your vet will prescribe your pup some topical medicine (often steroid cream) to improve the symptoms, and potentially some antibiotics to stop any infections from developing. If your dog is having an allergic reaction, they’ll need a shot of antihistamines to stop the reaction, or in severe cases of anaphylaxis more intensive treatment and hospitalization.

How to prevent dogs and poison ivy contact

Unfortunately, dogs and poison ivy are likely to come into contact at some point. As it can mostly be found around dog-walking hot spots - forests, long grass, green areas - in summer, it can be tricky to avoid these places. If you’re familiar with where you’re walking, make sure you check the poison ivy situation before you take your dog with you. For those trying out a new routine, keep your pup on their leash to stop them from wandering into a poison ivy party.

During summer walks, be sure to pack waterproof gloves in case of a canine poison ivy incident. Ask your vet whether it’s okay to use ointments like calamine lotion for dogs to give them on-the-spot care, or if they recommend having any other helpful creams on you. Never use products intended for human use on your dog’s skin as they may not be pet-safe!

Meet our veterinary expert, Holly

This article has been checked by veterinarian Holly Anne Hills BVM BVS BVMedSci. After graduating from the University of Nottingham, Holly spent two years working as a farm animal vet. She then spent some time traveling and volunteering in India, working at neutering clinics and with injured street dogs. Holly now works in small animal practice, and balances this with writing, volunteering with the comms team at Vet Sustain, and she is also a marine mammal medic!

Has your pup ever come into contact with poison ivy? Do you have any of your own preventative tips? If so, head to our Community Forum to connect with other pet people and share the love. You don’t even have to be a member to join the chat! But, if you are curious, take a look at the different membership plans, see which one works for you, and be part of our global pet-loving community.