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Pet safety

Is Telephone Pea toxic to dogs?

Pisum sativum 'Alderman'

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists telephone pea 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. Pisum sativum is not individually listed by the ASPCA; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The cooked edible seeds are a common, safe pet-food ingredient, but the raw plant (vines, leaves, pods) can cause mild GI upset, and it is easily confused with the ornamental sweet pea (Lathyrus), which the ASPCA flags as toxic. Keep pets from grazing the foliage.

What to do if your dog ate telephone pea

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

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

Is telephone pea toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is telephone pea toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists telephone pea 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. Pisum sativum is not individually listed by the ASPCA; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The cooked edible seeds are a common, safe pet-food ingredient, but the raw plant (vines, leaves, pods) can cause mild GI upset, and it is easily confused with the ornamental sweet pea (Lathyrus), which the ASPCA flags as toxic. Keep pets from grazing the foliage.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats telephone pea?

Pisum sativum is not individually listed by the ASPCA; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The cooked edible seeds are a common, safe pet-food ingredient, but the raw plant (vines, leaves, pods) can cause mild GI upset, and it is easily confused with the ornamental sweet pea (Lathyrus), which the ASPCA flags as toxic. Keep pets from grazing the foliage. 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 telephone pea.

What should I do if my dog ate telephone pea?

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 telephone pea toxic to cats too?

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

What is a dog-safe alternative to telephone pea?

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 telephone pea pet-safety