Pet emergency
My dog ate Cotyledon Tomentosa 'Bear Paw' — what to do
Step by step
- Take cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' away and remove any plant material from your dog's mouth so they cannot eat more.
- Note roughly how much was eaten and when — this helps the vet judge the risk.
- Do NOT induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to.
- Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice.
- Watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or lethargy, and bring a leaf or photo to the appointment.
This is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide as well as the plant. When in doubt, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.
My dog ate cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' — FAQ
Is cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' poisonous to dogs?
Yes — the ASPCA lists Cotyledon Tomentosa 'Bear Paw' (Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. ladismithensis 'Bear Paw') as toxic to dogs. Toxic to cats and dogs. The genus Cotyledon contains cardiac glycosides (bufadienolides, including cotyledontoxin); ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, weakness and, in serious cases, life-threatening heart arrhythmias. While not individually itemised on the ASPCA list, Cotyledon's bufadienolide toxicity is well documented — keep it out of reach of pets and contact a vet immediately if ingestion is suspected.
How serious is it if my dog ate cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw'?
Cotyledon Tomentosa 'Bear Paw' is toxic to dogs and reactions can be significant, so treat any ingestion as urgent. Call your vet or poison control on (888) 426-4435 straight away rather than waiting to see if symptoms develop.
What symptoms should I watch for?
Signs usually appear soon after chewing: drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy. Toxic to cats and dogs. The genus Cotyledon contains cardiac glycosides (bufadienolides, including cotyledontoxin); ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, weakness and, in serious cases, life-threatening heart arrhythmias. While not individually itemised on the ASPCA list, Cotyledon's bufadienolide toxicity is well documented — keep it out of reach of pets and contact a vet immediately if ingestion is suspected. Any worsening or persistent symptoms warrant an immediate vet visit.
Should I make my dog vomit?
No — do not induce vomiting unless a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center specifically tells you to. The wrong action can make things worse. Call (888) 426-4435 and follow professional advice.
How do I stop this happening again?
Keep cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' well out of reach, or swap it for an ASPCA non-toxic plant — see the best dogs-safe plants list.
Related
- Is cotyledon tomentosa 'bear paw' toxic to dogs? — full toxicity detail
- Cotyledon Tomentosa 'Bear Paw' and pets — the complete ASPCA pet-safety guide