Is Milkweed poisonous to dogs and cats?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 2 sources

Based on: Pet Poison Helpline, NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Call a vet today

Milkweed is poisonous to dogs and cats – call your vet today for advice if your pet has eaten any of it. The flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, sap, seeds, stems and bark are listed as poisonous.

  • Dogs Call a vet today
  • Cats Call a vet today
What to do now

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.

Don't

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

Why it can be dangerous

Milkweed can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy and confusion if eaten in quantity.[2] Its milky sap can cause contact dermatitis and eye irritation.[2]

Signs to watch for

  • vomiting
  • drooling
  • tremors
  • seizures
  • dilated pupils
  • stomach upset
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea
Scientific name
Asclepias
Poisonous parts
flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, sap/juice, seeds, stems, bark

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 [2]
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.

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Common questions

Is Milkweed dangerous for both dogs and cats?

Yes. Milkweed is listed as a problem for cats and dogs.[2]

What can happen if a pet eats Milkweed?

It can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy and confusion if eaten in quantity.[2]

Can Milkweed sap affect the skin or eyes?

Yes. Milky sap can cause contact dermatitis and eye irritation.[2]

Sources

  1. Pet Poison Helpline
  2. 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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