As the warmer weather of late spring and summer approaches, gardens, fields and meadows begin to flourish with new life. Cats and dogs enjoy this as much as we do, especially as they prefer to explore the world with their nose and tongue. This means they are prone to eating nice-smelling and brightly-coloured flora. Unfortunately, not all plants are benign and toxins which can be mildly irritating for a human can be outright poisonous for cats and dogs. As we start to enjoy the warmer weather, it is important that cat and dog owners understand which plants might be harmful to your pet.
We all love having beautiful flowers around our homes, but as dog owners, we must be careful about which plants we keep One common question that pops up is can dogs eat daisies? I’ve researched this topic thoroughly to help keep your furry friends safe
The Quick Answer: Most Daisies Are Toxic to Dogs
Let’s cut right to the chase – most daisies are toxic to dogs and should be kept away from them. While the toxicity level varies depending on the type of daisy and how much your dog consumes, it’s best to err on the side of caution and prevent your pup from munching on these common flowers.
Understanding Daisies and Their Types
First things first, what exactly is a daisy? The word “daisy” can refer to many different types of flowers, which can make things a bit confusing
Traditional daisies are flowers with white petals and a yellow center, or “eye.” The name actually comes from “day’s eye.” The most common types include:
- English daisy (the “true” daisy)
- Shasta daisy
- Oxeye daisy
However, “daisy” also broadly refers to many flowers in the Asteraceae family, which includes over 32,000 species! Some common members of this extended family include:
- Marigolds
- Gerbera daisies
- Sunflowers
- Chamomile
- Chrysanthemums
Which Daisies Are Safe and Which Are Toxic?
Here’s where things get tricky. The toxicity of daisies varies by type:
| Daisy Type | Toxicity Level |
|---|---|
| Gerber daisies | Not toxic |
| English daisies | Toxic |
| Shasta daisies | Toxic |
| Dog daisies (ironically!) | Toxic |
Many daisies contain several toxic substances including:
- Pyrethroids (used in insecticides like flea medication)
- Sesquiterpene (can cause intestinal upset and skin irritation)
- Anthemic acid
- Bisabolol
- Chamazulene
- Lactones
- Pyrethrin
- Tannic acid
- Volatile oils
What Happens If My Dog Eats Daisies?
If your dog consumes daisies, they might experience a range of symptoms depending on the type and amount eaten. One or two daisies usually won’t cause severe harm, but larger amounts could lead to:
-
Mild symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
- Skin irritation
-
More severe symptoms:
- Muscle spasms
- Convulsions
- Trembling
- Incoordination
- Darkened urine
- Difficulty breathing
- Depression
- Appetite loss
It’s worth noting that if your dog has recently been treated with flea medication containing pyrethrins or pyrethroids, consuming daisies could potentially lead to a more serious toxic reaction because of the compound overlap.
My Dog Just Ate Daisies! What Should I Do?
If you catch your dog munching on daisies, don’t panic! Here are the steps you should take:
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Check nearby plants – Make sure daisies are the only things your dog has eaten, as other plants might be more toxic.
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Examine your dog’s mouth – Look for signs of irritation, though these might not appear immediately.
-
Rinse your dog’s mouth – Give them some water to drink to help rinse out their mouth.
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Watch for symptoms – Keep an eye on your dog for any concerning behaviors, including vomiting (which isn’t unusual after eating plants).
-
Call your vet – If your dog seems uncomfortable or is showing any worrying symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
For more serious cases of daisy poisoning, veterinary treatment may include:
- Inducing vomiting using hydrogen peroxide medication
- Administering activated charcoal to absorb toxins
- Providing IV fluids with electrolytes
- Oxygen therapy if your dog is in distress
- Anti-seizure drugs if your dog experiences seizures
Will My Dog Be Okay?
The good news is that in most cases, your dog will be fine if they eat just a handful of daisies. Though some varieties can irritate the mouth or stomach, it would typically take a large amount or repeated consumption to become a serious concern.
Dr. Barbara from NHV Natural Pet says, “It’s a bit complicated in what daisies are toxic to dogs, because there are many different kinds of the flower and many different names as well. Most daisies won’t cause your pet harm, but there are specific species that could cause poisoning.”
How to Keep Your Dog Away From Daisies
If you want to prevent your dog from eating daisies, here are some practical tips:
- Remove all daisies from your lawn and backyard
- Practice recall training during walks
- Keep your dog on a leash in areas with lots of flowers
- Consistently correct with a sharp “no” when your dog approaches garden areas
Other Plants to Watch Out For
While we’re talking about plant toxicity, it’s worth mentioning some other plants that are dangerous for dogs:
Highly Toxic Plants:
- Sago palms
- Grapes and raisins
- Lily of the valley
- Yew
- Oleander
- Cyclamen
Bulb Plants to Avoid:
- Tulips
- Hyacinths
- Daffodils
- Bluebells
- Crocuses
- Irises
- Dahlias
- Lilies
Safe Alternatives for Your Garden
Want to keep a dog-friendly garden? Dr. Barbara suggests these safe alternatives:
- Petunias
- Sunflowers
- Roses (just be careful of thorns)
- Fennel
- Dill
- Rosemary (which can even work as a natural flea repellent)
Just remember that even with non-toxic plants, be mindful of fertilizers and pesticides which could harm your pet. Try to plant with natural composts and pesticide-free plants when possible.
The Bottom Line
While eating a few daisy petals probably won’t cause serious harm to your dog, it’s best to keep these flowers out of reach. Different varieties contain different levels of toxins, and it can be hard to identify exactly which type of daisy your dog might be munching on.
We love our dogs, and we want what’s best for them. So when it comes to daisies and dogs, I’d say it’s better to be safe than sorry! Keep your garden dog-friendly, and if accidents happen, know the signs to watch for and when to call your vet.
Have your dogs ever gotten into your flower garden? What plants have you found are safest to have around pets? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!
Disclaimer: I’m not a veterinarian. This article is based on research from trusted sources, but if your dog eats something potentially toxic, always contact your veterinarian for professional advice.
Signs your pet has ingested something poisonous
The complete list of plants which can be toxic to pets is quite exhaustive (here is one such list). For instance, more Britons than ever are growing their own tomatoes and potatoes. While this is something to be encouraged, potato plant leaves are toxic to dogs, while tomato plant leaves and unripe tomatoes are poisonous to both dogs and cats. Keep an eye out for the common signs of poisoning:
- Oral irritation
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness or weakness
- Depressed behaviour
- Diarrhoea
- Dry mouth and/or eyes
- Tremors
- Fever
- High heart rate
- Constipation
- Stiffness
- Blood in stool or vomit
- Increased thirst
If your pet exhibits any of the above symptoms, take them to a vet immediately. Some poisons are fast acting, and even if you think you might have a home remedy, some plants can be easily confused for one another but may have a very different effect on your cat or dog. Don’t take the risk! Let your vet use their expertise to give your pet the best chance of a healthy and fast recovery. Avoiding plants which may be toxic for your pets is the easiest way to stop them from eating them and becoming ill. Here are some of the most common plants that might be starting to pop up in your garden and nearby areas which can be toxic to your pet.
Hyacinths, including grape hyacinth and bluebells, are extremely popular for their bright colours and delightful aroma. They are relatively easy to nurture and spring and early summer are the ideal seasons for them to bloom. Unfortunately, their bulbs, flowers and leaves are all extremely harmful in high quantities, so pets that like to munch their way through nice-smelling flowers are particularly at risk. Irritation and vomiting are common in any animal that ingests these plants, but Labradors prone to digging and eating whatever they can find are the breed of dog most often treated for more severe cases of poisoning.
Tulips are from the same family of plant as hyacinths, so bear many of the same characteristics: bright, colourful, sweet-smelling…and highly toxic to cats and dogs. It is the bulbs of the tulip which are most toxic and, while a fast response by your vet will probably yield a good prognosis, symptoms can be severe and dangerous, so consider how worth the risk it is to have tulips in your own garden or home and be careful when taking your pet outdoors.
As one of the UK’s most widespread flowers and a key indicator that spring has arrived, the daffodil shouldn’t be so celebrated by pet owners. The whole plant is poisonous to dogs and cats, but it is the bulb that is most dangerous of all. The small crystals of toxins on the outer layers of the bulbs can trigger aggressive vomiting and diarrhoea, abdominal pains and breathing problems, amongst other serious symptoms.
This ornamental shrub is easy to maintain and a nice way to brighten up your garden, but it is also highly toxic to animals. The entire plant is poisonous, but just a handful of the more accessible leaves can be lethal to a cow, let alone much smaller animals such as cats and dogs. Reactions can be very severe and sudden, so we recommend avoiding planting these in your garden if you own pets.
Ironically, autumn crocus wildflowers are recorded in one of the world’s oldest known medical texts as a medicinal plant for human beings. Unfortunately, this benefit doesn’t extend to cats and dogs, and the plant is actually very harmful to them. The plant has a similar effect on our pets as arsenic and is often fatal, as it has no known cure. Avoid as best as you are able.
While several aspects of this plant are poisonous to cats and dogs, it is the root which is especially dangerous. Keeping cyclamen as a house plant and out of reach of your pets should mean you are unlikely to experience any problems, but if your pet is able to dig up the root in the garden and take a few nibbles, severe reactions and even death is highly probable.
Amaryllis bulbs are extremely popular in UK gardens for their bright colours and quick blooming. Poisoning is rare in both dogs and cats, but if your pet is particularly prone to eating plant life, and if you have a high number of bulbs around your home or garden, ingestion could lead to some of the more common symptoms of poisoning, like those listed previously.
Delphinium and larkspur are two other frequently occurring UK plants which are unlikely to ever be consumed by your pet in such quantities that they show symptoms of poisoning. However, your dog or cat is most at risk while these plants are still young, as they become less toxic as they age. All parts of both plants are considered toxic, though it is the sprouts which are most likely to cause digestive problems if eaten.
The importance of diet
Cats and dogs have delicate stomachs and rely on receiving a balance of nutrients to grow and maintain their health—something which you can help manage best by feeding your cat or dog good quality food, avoiding table scraps and, importantly, monitoring what they eat inside and outside of the house when they don’t think anyone is watching them. Ingesting poisonous plants may not only lead to reactions which disrupt their diet, like loss of appetite or dehydration but can be life-threatening and require constant vigilance and a fast response. Alas, we cannot explain to our pets why it is okay for them to eat some plants and not others, so the best thing you can do to keep your pet from ingesting something poisonous is to be selective about what you plant in your garden and to keep an eye on your dog when out for a walk in wild places where toxic plants might be growing in abundance.
Foods Dogs Can & Can’t Eat Part 3
FAQ
Are daisies toxic to dogs?
Your dog can normally metabolize a small amount of these chemicals such as what is contained in the flea treatment, but paired with the natural chemicals in the daisy it can lead to a serious toxic reaction. Sesquiterpene is another substance found in many daisies that can cause intestinal upset and skin irritation.
What if my dog ate a daisy?
If your pet has eaten a daisy, you will want to go to the vet’s office. They will be able to help you determine if your pup has been poisoned and take the appropriate steps,” Dr. Barbara says. First, if you know your dog has eaten any part of a plant that could be toxic (even if you’re not sure whether it is toxic), you need to call your vet.
Can a dog eat a daisy flower?
It really depends on the type of daisy, but if your dog eats a daisy, remove the flower from their mouth and wipe it with a damp cloth. Call the vet, and monitor your dog for any symptoms of poisoning.
Can dogs eat gerbera daisies?
Gerbera Daisies: These vibrant flowers are typically safe but can cause minor digestive issues like vomiting or diarrhea if a dog consumes a large amount. Shasta Daisies: Though not highly toxic, these white-petaled flowers can cause similar symptoms to Gerbera daisies if eaten in significant quantities.
Can dogs eat Daisy mums?
However, this is not a cause for alarm in a dog who simply eats a few flowers on an occasional basis. Though they look like daisies, daisy mums belong to the Chrysanthemum family. Like many other Asteraceae, they contain sesquiterpene lactones and pyrethrins (a chemical used to kill fleas), and other irritants.
Can dogs eat marguerite daisies?
They are generally safe for dogs, although overeating can lead to minor stomach upset. Marguerite Daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens): These attractive daisies come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, and yellow. They pose no known toxicity risk to dogs.
Can dogs have daisy?
Most Helpful Answer. Hello! I have great news for you! Daisies are non-toxic to dogs.Jul 14, 2018
Which daisies are safe for dogs to eat?
Some daisies can be considered pet safe flowers while others can cause irritation for both cats and dogs, especially when ingested in large quantities. If you want to add daisies to your home, gerbera daisies are a worry-free choice for pet safe flowers.
Are flowers toxic to dogs?
Yes, some flowers are toxic to dogs and can cause symptoms ranging from mild stomach upset to life-threatening issues, so it’s crucial to know which plants are safe and which are dangerous. Common toxic flowers include tulips, daffodils, lilies, and azaleas. If you suspect your dog has eaten a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center immediately.
Are daisy flowers poisonous to eat?
All parts of the plant are edible and very healthy.Feb 3, 2025