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Pet safety

Is Old Man's Beard toxic to dogs?

Clematis vitalba

Toxic to dogs

Yes — old man's beard 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 Clematis vitalba contain irritant glycosides (protoanemonin precursors) and are listed by the ASPCA as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion can cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhoea; contact with sap may irritate skin and mucous membranes.

What to do if your dog ate old man's beard

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

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

Is old man's beard toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is old man's beard toxic to dogs?

Yes — old man's beard 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 Clematis vitalba contain irritant glycosides (protoanemonin precursors) and are listed by the ASPCA as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion can cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhoea; contact with sap may irritate skin and mucous membranes.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats old man's beard?

All parts of Clematis vitalba contain irritant glycosides (protoanemonin precursors) and are listed by the ASPCA as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion can cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhoea; contact with sap may irritate skin and mucous membranes. 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 old man's beard.

What should I do if my dog ate old man's beard?

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 old man's beard toxic to cats too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Old Man's Beard is toxic to cats as well. See the full old man's beard pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a dog-safe alternative to old man's beard?

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 old man's beard pet-safety