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Pet safety

Is Medinilla toxic to dogs?

Medinilla scortechinii

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists medinilla 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. Medinilla scortechinii is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The family Melastomataceae has no well-documented toxic principle, and the related genus Bertolonia (same family) is ASPCA-listed as non-toxic. However, as Medinilla has no confirmed ASPCA non-toxic listing either, we advise caution and recommend keeping the plant out of reach of pets and children until individual listings are confirmed.

What to do if your dog ate medinilla

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

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

Is medinilla toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is medinilla toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists medinilla 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. Medinilla scortechinii is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The family Melastomataceae has no well-documented toxic principle, and the related genus Bertolonia (same family) is ASPCA-listed as non-toxic. However, as Medinilla has no confirmed ASPCA non-toxic listing either, we advise caution and recommend keeping the plant out of reach of pets and children until individual listings are confirmed.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats medinilla?

Medinilla scortechinii is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The family Melastomataceae has no well-documented toxic principle, and the related genus Bertolonia (same family) is ASPCA-listed as non-toxic. However, as Medinilla has no confirmed ASPCA non-toxic listing either, we advise caution and recommend keeping the plant out of reach of pets and children until individual listings are confirmed. 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 medinilla.

What should I do if my dog ate medinilla?

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 medinilla toxic to cats too?

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

What is a dog-safe alternative to medinilla?

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 medinilla pet-safety