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Pet safety

Is Dog's Tooth Violet toxic to cats?

Erythronium dens-canis

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists dog's tooth violet as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. Erythronium dens-canis is not individually listed by ASPCA. The corms and foliage contain alkaloids (colchicine-related compounds have been reported in some Erythronium species); ingestion may cause gastrointestinal upset in pets and humans. Treat as mildly toxic and keep away from pets and children. Consult a vet if ingestion is suspected.

What to do if your cat ate dog's tooth violet

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move dog's tooth violet out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of dog's tooth violet to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten dog's tooth violet, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is dog's tooth violet toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is dog's tooth violet toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists dog's tooth violet as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Erythronium dens-canis is not individually listed by ASPCA. The corms and foliage contain alkaloids (colchicine-related compounds have been reported in some Erythronium species); ingestion may cause gastrointestinal upset in pets and humans. Treat as mildly toxic and keep away from pets and children. Consult a vet if ingestion is suspected.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats dog's tooth violet?

Erythronium dens-canis is not individually listed by ASPCA. The corms and foliage contain alkaloids (colchicine-related compounds have been reported in some Erythronium species); ingestion may cause gastrointestinal upset in pets and humans. Treat as mildly toxic and keep away from pets and children. Consult a vet if ingestion is suspected. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to dog's tooth violet.

What should I do if my cat ate dog's tooth violet?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is dog's tooth violet toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Dog's Tooth Violet is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full dog's tooth violet pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to dog's tooth violet?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full dog's tooth violet pet-safety