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Pet safety

Is Bleeding Heart toxic to dogs?

Lamprocapnos spectabilis

Toxic to dogs

Yes — bleeding heart is toxic to dogs according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any dog that chews plants; reactions can be significant. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA lists Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos/Dicentra spectabilis) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. The toxic principle is isoquinoline alkaloids; ingestion can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in larger amounts, tremors, staggering and other neurological signs. Sap may also irritate skin.

What to do if your dog ate bleeding heart

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

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

Is bleeding heart toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is bleeding heart toxic to dogs?

Yes — bleeding heart is toxic to dogs according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any dog that chews plants; reactions can be significant. ASPCA lists Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos/Dicentra spectabilis) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. The toxic principle is isoquinoline alkaloids; ingestion can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in larger amounts, tremors, staggering and other neurological signs. Sap may also irritate skin.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats bleeding heart?

ASPCA lists Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos/Dicentra spectabilis) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. The toxic principle is isoquinoline alkaloids; ingestion can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in larger amounts, tremors, staggering and other neurological signs. Sap may also irritate skin. 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 bleeding heart.

What should I do if my dog ate bleeding heart?

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 bleeding heart toxic to cats too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Bleeding Heart is toxic to cats as well. See the full bleeding heart pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a dog-safe alternative to bleeding heart?

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 bleeding heart pet-safety