Is Rhododendron & azalea 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

Rhododendron & azalea are poisonous to dogs and cats – call your vet today for advice if your pet has eaten any of them. All parts of the plant contain grayanotoxins.

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

Why it can be dangerous

Ingestion can result in vomiting, drooling, colic, heart rhythm irregularity, low blood pressure and neurological signs.[1]

Signs to watch for

  • vomiting
  • drooling
  • low blood pressure
  • depression
  • hypersalivation
Scientific name
Rhododendron
Poisonous parts
bark, flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, sap/juice, seeds, stems

What the experts say

“Problems: Frequent Disease Problems, 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.

Get it on Google Play

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

Common questions

Which parts of Rhododendron are poisonous?

All parts of the plant contain grayanotoxins.[1]

Is Rhododendron dangerous for cats too?

Rhododendron is listed as a problem for cats.[2]

What signs can follow ingestion?

Signs can include vomiting, drooling, colic, heart rhythm irregularity, low blood pressure and neurological signs.[1]

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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