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If your dog ate tansy — do this now

  1. Take the plant away and clear any pieces from their mouth.
  2. Do not induce vomiting unless told to by a professional.
  3. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 now.

Tansy is toxic to dogs (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My dog ate Tansy — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take tansy away and remove any plant material from your dog's mouth so they cannot eat more.
  2. Note roughly how much was eaten and when — this helps the vet judge the risk.
  3. Do NOT induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice.
  5. 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 tansy — FAQ

Is tansy poisonous to dogs?

Yes — the ASPCA lists Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) as toxic to dogs. Tansy is not individually catalogued by the ASPCA, but it is well established in veterinary and toxicology literature as poisonous: the foliage and flowers contain thujone and other volatile oils. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, convulsions and, with the concentrated oil, liver and kidney damage. Keep away from cats, dogs and livestock; the essential oil is especially hazardous.

How serious is it if my dog ate tansy?

Tansy 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. Tansy is not individually catalogued by the ASPCA, but it is well established in veterinary and toxicology literature as poisonous: the foliage and flowers contain thujone and other volatile oils. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, convulsions and, with the concentrated oil, liver and kidney damage. Keep away from cats, dogs and livestock; the essential oil is especially hazardous. 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 tansy well out of reach, or swap it for an ASPCA non-toxic plant — see the best dogs-safe plants list.

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