Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Brown-eyed Susan toxic to dogs?

Rudbeckia triloba

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists brown-eyed susan 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. Rudbeckia triloba is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic/non-toxic plant database, so a pet-safe label cannot be confirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. As with other Rudbeckias, leaf and stem hairs plus sesquiterpene lactones may cause mild mouth or skin irritation and gastrointestinal upset if ingested.

What to do if your dog ate brown-eyed susan

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

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

Is brown-eyed susan toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is brown-eyed susan toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists brown-eyed susan 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. Rudbeckia triloba is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic/non-toxic plant database, so a pet-safe label cannot be confirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. As with other Rudbeckias, leaf and stem hairs plus sesquiterpene lactones may cause mild mouth or skin irritation and gastrointestinal upset if ingested.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats brown-eyed susan?

Rudbeckia triloba is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic/non-toxic plant database, so a pet-safe label cannot be confirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. As with other Rudbeckias, leaf and stem hairs plus sesquiterpene lactones may cause mild mouth or skin irritation and gastrointestinal upset if ingested. 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 brown-eyed susan.

What should I do if my dog ate brown-eyed susan?

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 brown-eyed susan toxic to cats too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Brown-eyed Susan is mildly toxic to cats as well. See the full brown-eyed susan pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a dog-safe alternative to brown-eyed susan?

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 brown-eyed susan pet-safety