Plant
Foxglove
Emergency — contact a vet immediately even before symptoms.
Life-threateningDogsCatsRabbitsHorses
Illustrative cover using relevant category imagery; it does not depict the exact subject.
What to do right now
- 1.Remove plant material from the mouth
- 2.Do not wait for symptoms
- 3.Take a photo or sample of the plant to the vet
Symptoms
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Slow, fast or irregular heartbeat
- Weakness and collapse
- Tremors
Details
- Category
- Plant
- Toxicity
- Life-threatening
- Species affected
- Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Horses
- Routes of exposure
- Eating leaves, flowers or seeds; the plant contains cardiac glycosides that directly affect the heart.
- Urgency
- Emergency — contact a vet immediately even before symptoms.
Veterinary notes and prevention
Even small amounts can affect the heart. Dried foxglove in hay or garden waste remains dangerous.
Prepare the information your vet needs
- For Foxglove, report the exposure route: Eating leaves, flowers or seeds; the plant contains cardiac glycosides that directly affect the heart. Tell the clinic the time, possible amount and your pet's species and approximate weight.
- Photograph the packaging, ingredient list or plant if safe. Do not handle contaminated material without protection or delay the call to identify it perfectly.
- Keep other animals away from the source. An animal may appear normal before signs develop; do not wait for symptoms or calculate a home 'safe dose'.
- Follow the clinic's transport instructions. Do not give food, medicines or home remedies unless instructed, and take packaging with you if available.
Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Sources on this topic
Pages on this specific subject from recognised organisations. They are cited for further reading and do not mean the organisation has reviewed this page.
- Foxglove: toxicity to pets — Pet Poison Helpline
- Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Foxglove — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Guidance libraries and further reading
These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.