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Pet safety

Is Bignay toxic to dogs?

Antidesma bunius

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists bignay as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog 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. Antidesma bunius is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database, so its status for cats and dogs is unverified. Phytochemical studies report a toxic alkaloid in the bark and roots, so treat the plant as cautionary and verify with a vet; keep pets from chewing bark, roots or foliage.

What to do if your dog ate bignay

  1. Remove any plant material from your dog's mouth and move bignay 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 bignay to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is bignay toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is bignay toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists bignay as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Antidesma bunius is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database, so its status for cats and dogs is unverified. Phytochemical studies report a toxic alkaloid in the bark and roots, so treat the plant as cautionary and verify with a vet; keep pets from chewing bark, roots or foliage.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats bignay?

Antidesma bunius is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database, so its status for cats and dogs is unverified. Phytochemical studies report a toxic alkaloid in the bark and roots, so treat the plant as cautionary and verify with a vet; keep pets from chewing bark, roots or foliage. 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 dog has had access to bignay.

What should I do if my dog ate bignay?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your dog'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 bignay toxic to cats too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Bignay is mildly toxic to cats as well. See the full bignay pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a dog-safe alternative to bignay?

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

Full bignay pet-safety