Is Wintersweet toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists wintersweet 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. Chimonanthus praecox is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, so its safety for cats and dogs is not confirmed by that authority; treat with caution and verify with a vet. Its leaves, seeds and fruit contain the alkaloid calycanthine, documented to cause neurological signs in livestock, so keep pets from chewing the plant.

Chimonanthus praecox is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, so its safety for cats and dogs is not confirmed by that authority; treat with caution and verify with a vet. Its leaves, seeds and fruit contain the alkaloid calycanthine, documented to cause neurological signs in livestock, so keep pets from chewing the plant. 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 wintersweet.

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.

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

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.