Pet safety
Is Drooping Leucothoe toxic to dogs?
Leucothoe fontanesiana
Yes — drooping leucothoe 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 Dog Hobble (Leucothoe species) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is grayanotoxin, which interferes with sodium ion channels. Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, low blood pressure, cardiovascular collapse, and in severe cases coma or death. Keep away from all pets and livestock.
What to do if your dog ate drooping leucothoe
- Remove any plant material from your dog's mouth and move drooping leucothoe out of reach.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
- Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice.
- Bring a leaf or photo of drooping leucothoe to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.
General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your dog has eaten drooping leucothoe, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Is drooping leucothoe toxic to dogs? — FAQ
Is drooping leucothoe toxic to dogs?
Yes — drooping leucothoe is toxic to dogs according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any dog that chews plants; reactions can be significant. ASPCA lists Dog Hobble (Leucothoe species) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is grayanotoxin, which interferes with sodium ion channels. Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, low blood pressure, cardiovascular collapse, and in severe cases coma or death. Keep away from all pets and livestock.
What are the symptoms if a dog eats drooping leucothoe?
ASPCA lists Dog Hobble (Leucothoe species) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is grayanotoxin, which interferes with sodium ion channels. Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, low blood pressure, cardiovascular collapse, and in severe cases coma or death. Keep away from all pets and livestock. 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 drooping leucothoe.
What should I do if my dog ate drooping leucothoe?
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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.
Is drooping leucothoe toxic to cats too?
The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Drooping Leucothoe is toxic to cats as well. See the full drooping leucothoe pet-safety guide for both species.
What is a dog-safe alternative to drooping leucothoe?
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.
Type any plant to see what the ASPCA says about it and your dog.
Full drooping leucothoe pet-safety
- Is drooping leucothoe toxic to cats and dogs? — the full guide for both pets
- Is drooping leucothoe toxic to cats?
- My dog ate drooping leucothoe — emergency steps
- Best dogs-safe plants — the full ASPCA non-toxic list
- Complete drooping leucothoe care guide
- Best plant app for pet owners — which apps actually flag ASPCA toxicity before you buy the plant
Writing about plant safety? Embed our free pet-toxicity checker on your site — ASPCA-grounded verdicts for 11,000+ plants, no sign-up.