Is American Mandrake poisonous to dogs and cats?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Call a vet today

American Mandrake is poisonous to dogs and cats – call your vet today for advice if your pet has eaten any of it. The leaves, roots, seeds and stems are listed as poisonous parts, and the toxic principle is podophyllin.

  • Dogs Call a vet today
  • Cats Call a vet today

What to do right now

  1. Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
  2. Note which plant, which part, how much and when.
  3. Take a photo or a piece of the plant with you.
  4. Remove what is left and move the plant out of reach.
  5. Keep your pet calm.

Don't

  • Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.
  • Do not give any human medicine.

Why it can be dangerous

American Mandrake is listed as a problem for cats and dogs.[1] Contact dermatitis is listed among its problems.[1]

Scientific name
Podophyllum
Poisonous parts
leaves, roots, seeds, stems

What the experts say

“Problems: Contact Dermatitis, Poisonous to Humans, Problem for Cats, Problem for Dogs, Problem for Horses”

— NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox [1]
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

Get it on Google Play

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

Is American Mandrake dangerous for both dogs and cats?

Yes. It is listed as a problem for cats and dogs.[1]

What should I do if my pet has eaten or chewed it?

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet for advice. Note which plant, which part, how much and when, and take a photo or a piece of the plant with you.

Sources

  1. NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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