My dog ate Silver Ragwort — what to do

Yes — the ASPCA lists Silver Ragwort (Jacobaea maritima) as toxic to dogs. The ASPCA lists Senecio/Jacobaea species including ragwort as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are metabolised in the liver to reactive pyrroles causing hepatotoxicity. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, jaundice, and liver failure with chronic exposure. Note this is silver ragwort (Jacobaea maritima), the low silver-leaved bedding plant — not common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris, formerly Senecio jacobaea), the tall yellow-flowered weed of paddocks, verges and rough grass that gives ragwort its reputation. That is a livestock and equine problem above all: horses and cattle are far more susceptible than cats and dogs, the plant is bitter and rarely eaten willingly, and the real danger is wilted or dried material in hay, which loses the bitterness without losing the alkaloids. Both plants are Asteraceae and both carry pyrrolizidine alkaloids, so neither is a safe substitute for the other. The damage is cumulative and falls on the liver, not the kidneys.

Silver Ragwort 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.

Signs usually appear soon after chewing: drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy. The ASPCA lists Senecio/Jacobaea species including ragwort as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are metabolised in the liver to reactive pyrroles causing hepatotoxicity. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, jaundice, and liver failure with chronic exposure. Note this is silver ragwort (Jacobaea maritima), the low silver-leaved bedding plant — not common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris, formerly Senecio jacobaea), the tall yellow-flowered weed of paddocks, verges and rough grass that gives ragwort its reputation. That is a livestock and equine problem above all: horses and cattle are far more susceptible than cats and dogs, the plant is bitter and rarely eaten willingly, and the real danger is wilted or dried material in hay, which loses the bitterness without losing the alkaloids. Both plants are Asteraceae and both carry pyrrolizidine alkaloids, so neither is a safe substitute for the other. The damage is cumulative and falls on the liver, not the kidneys. Any worsening or persistent symptoms warrant an immediate vet visit.

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.

Keep silver ragwort well out of reach, or swap it for an ASPCA non-toxic plant — see the best dogs-safe plants list.