Pet emergency
My dog ate Lace Aloe — what to do
Step by step
- Take lace aloe 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 a poison-control line — (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK. Both charge a consultation fee. 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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK.
My dog ate lace aloe — FAQ
Is lace aloe poisonous to dogs?
Yes — Lace Aloe (Aristaloe aristata (syn. Aloe aristata)) is regarded as toxic to dogs, based on genus- and family-level toxicity data. Aristaloe aristata is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic/non-toxic plant database; it was reclassified out of the genus Aloe in 2014 into its own genus, more closely related to Astroloba and Haworthia. The ASPCA does list true Aloe (Aloe vera) as toxic to cats, dogs and horses, with saponins and anthraquinones (e.g. aloin) causing vomiting, lethargy and diarrhoea, and lace aloe contains the same compound classes. Because it is not confirmed pet-safe by ASPCA and shares aloe-type chemistry, treat it as toxic, keep it away from pets, and verify with your vet if ingestion occurs.
How serious is it if my dog ate lace aloe?
Lace Aloe is toxic to dogs and reactions can be significant, so treat any ingestion as urgent. Call your vet, or (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK, 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. Aristaloe aristata is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic/non-toxic plant database; it was reclassified out of the genus Aloe in 2014 into its own genus, more closely related to Astroloba and Haworthia. The ASPCA does list true Aloe (Aloe vera) as toxic to cats, dogs and horses, with saponins and anthraquinones (e.g. aloin) causing vomiting, lethargy and diarrhoea, and lace aloe contains the same compound classes. Because it is not confirmed pet-safe by ASPCA and shares aloe-type chemistry, treat it as toxic, keep it away from pets, and verify with your vet if ingestion occurs. 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 a poison-control specialist specifically tells you to. The wrong action can make things worse. Call your vet, or (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK, and follow professional advice.
How do I stop this happening again?
Keep lace aloe well out of reach, or swap it for an ASPCA non-toxic plant — see the best dogs-safe plants list.
Type any plant to see what the ASPCA says about it and your dog.
Related
- Is lace aloe toxic to dogs? — full toxicity detail
- Lace Aloe and pets — the complete ASPCA pet-safety guide
- Best plant app for pet owners — which apps actually flag ASPCA toxicity before you buy the plant