Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Mountain Fetterbush toxic to dogs?

Pieris floribunda

Toxic to dogs

Yes — mountain fetterbush 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. All parts of Pieris floribunda contain grayanotoxins (andromedotoxins), as is characteristic of the entire Pieris genus. The ASPCA classifies Pieris species as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion can cause salivation, vomiting, depression, ataxia, hypotension, and in severe cases cardiac arrhythmia requiring veterinary emergency treatment.

What to do if your dog ate mountain fetterbush

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

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

Is mountain fetterbush toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is mountain fetterbush toxic to dogs?

Yes — mountain fetterbush is toxic to dogs according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any dog that chews plants; reactions can be significant. All parts of Pieris floribunda contain grayanotoxins (andromedotoxins), as is characteristic of the entire Pieris genus. The ASPCA classifies Pieris species as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion can cause salivation, vomiting, depression, ataxia, hypotension, and in severe cases cardiac arrhythmia requiring veterinary emergency treatment.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats mountain fetterbush?

All parts of Pieris floribunda contain grayanotoxins (andromedotoxins), as is characteristic of the entire Pieris genus. The ASPCA classifies Pieris species as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion can cause salivation, vomiting, depression, ataxia, hypotension, and in severe cases cardiac arrhythmia requiring veterinary emergency treatment. 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 mountain fetterbush.

What should I do if my dog ate mountain fetterbush?

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 mountain fetterbush toxic to cats too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Mountain Fetterbush is toxic to cats as well. See the full mountain fetterbush pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a dog-safe alternative to mountain fetterbush?

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 mountain fetterbush pet-safety