Is Azalea toxic to dogs and cats?
How serious is Azalea for pets?
SEVERE Plant Doctor's data flags Azalea as one of its most serious plants for pets. Treat any suspected ingestion as an emergency and call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435.
SEVERE: grayanotoxins affect heart and nervous system. Vomiting, drooling, weakness, cardiac abnormalities, potential collapse. Emergency vet visit for any real ingestion.
Rhododendron spp.
Also called: Rhododendron and Rododendro.
What makes it toxic
Grayanotoxin.
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (ASPCA entry for the genus)
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hypersalivation (heavy drooling)
- Weakness
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- CNS depression (slowed central nervous system)
- Cardiovascular collapse
- Coma
- Death
- ASPCA notes that eating a few leaves can cause serious problems
- ASPCA notes the toxin interferes with normal skeletal muscle, heart muscle and nerve function, and that effects typically begin within a few hours of ingestion
- Further signs listed by ASPCA: loss of appetite, frequent bowel movements, colic, loss of coordination, stupor, leg paralysis, a weak heart rate, and being unable to stand for 2 or more days, after which the animal may improve or become comatose and die
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (ASPCA entry for the genus)
What to do if your pet chewed it
- Move the plant out of reach so they cannot take another bite.
- If your pet is alert, gently rinse their mouth and offer a little water.
- Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435, especially if you see drooling, vomiting, swelling, or lethargy.
Pet-safe swaps
The same green look without the toxicity worry. Each of these is non-toxic to both dogs and cats in our data.
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Buy Apollo a treatQuick answers about Azalea
Is Azalea toxic to cats?
Yes, Azalea is toxic to cats. See all 127 plants toxic to cats.
Is Azalea toxic to dogs?
Yes, Azalea is toxic to dogs. See all 124 plants toxic to dogs.
What is Azalea also called?
Azalea (Rhododendron spp.) is also called Rhododendron and Rododendro.
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Scan your plantAlways confirm with a veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) before assuming safety. This is a household reference, not a substitute for professional guidance in a suspected poisoning.
· Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control.
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