Why it is poisonous to dogs
Tulips contain substances that irritate the mouth and the stomach. They are concentrated in the bulbs, with less in the leaves and flowers. Dogs love to dig, so a dog can dig up freshly planted bulbs or find a bag of bulbs left in the shed.
A dog that bites off a leaf or a flower can drool and vomit. An eaten bulb can have a stronger effect, and how much harm it will do cannot be judged at home, so in that case contact a vet straight away.
If your dog chewed tulip leaves or flowers and drools, vomits, has diarrhoea or seems dull, contact a vet.
What to watch out for
- Drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea can follow.
- An eaten bulb irritates the stomach more than the leaves or flowers do.
- A dog can dig the bulbs up from a flower bed or a pot.
- Bulbs stored in the shed waiting to be planted are dangerous too.
Which parts are dangerous
Not every part of the plant is equally dangerous.
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Bulbs
DangerousThe irritating substances are concentrated in them, so if your dog ate a bulb, contact a vet straight away.
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Leaves and flowers
Not safeThey can irritate the mouth and upset the stomach.
What it can cause
Signs that can appear after eating it. Each page explains what to look out for and when to hurry to a vet.
Safe plants instead
Plants that are safer to keep.