Is Brunfelsia 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

Yesterday, today and tomorrow is poisonous to dogs and cats – call your vet today for advice if your pet has eaten any of it. All parts of Brunfelsia contain two toxins.

  • 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. Remove what is left and move the plant out of reach.
  4. Take a photo or a piece of the plant with you.
  5. Keep your pet calm.

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

Brunfelsia plants contain two toxins found in all parts of the plant: one is a stimulant and the other is a depressant.[1]

Signs to watch for

  • Vomiting
  • Tremors
  • Seizures
Scientific name
Brunfelsia
Poisonous parts
bark, flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, sap/juice, seeds, stems

What the experts say

“Problems: Contact Dermatitis, Poisonous to Humans, Problem for Cats, Problem for Children, 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 Brunfelsia are poisonous?

All parts of the plant, including the bark, flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, sap or juice, seeds and stems.

Is Brunfelsia dangerous for cats too?

Cats are included: Brunfelsia is listed as a problem for cats, as well as dogs.[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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