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Pet safety

Is White Guinea Yam toxic to dogs?

Dioscorea rotundata

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists white guinea yam 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. Dioscorea rotundata is not individually ASPCA-listed. Raw Dioscorea species contain dioscorine alkaloids and saponins that can cause vomiting and GI upset in dogs and cats. Properly cooked tubers are consumed safely by humans, but raw plant material should be kept away from pets; classified as mildly-toxic as a precaution.

What to do if your dog ate white guinea yam

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

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

Is white guinea yam toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is white guinea yam toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists white guinea yam 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. Dioscorea rotundata is not individually ASPCA-listed. Raw Dioscorea species contain dioscorine alkaloids and saponins that can cause vomiting and GI upset in dogs and cats. Properly cooked tubers are consumed safely by humans, but raw plant material should be kept away from pets; classified as mildly-toxic as a precaution.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats white guinea yam?

Dioscorea rotundata is not individually ASPCA-listed. Raw Dioscorea species contain dioscorine alkaloids and saponins that can cause vomiting and GI upset in dogs and cats. Properly cooked tubers are consumed safely by humans, but raw plant material should be kept away from pets; classified as mildly-toxic as a precaution. 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 white guinea yam.

What should I do if my dog ate white guinea yam?

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 white guinea yam toxic to cats too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: White Guinea Yam is mildly toxic to cats as well. See the full white guinea yam pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a dog-safe alternative to white guinea yam?

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 white guinea yam pet-safety