Is Oleander Toxic to Dogs and Cats?

Oleander (Nerium oleander) is toxic to both cats and dogs.

If your pet has eaten a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away and bring a photo or piece of the plant. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).

Why

Every part of the oleander, including the leaves, flowers, stems and sap, contains cardiac glycosides. These substances interfere with the heart's rhythm and can be fatal.

Oleander is a common ornamental shrub in warm climates. Dried leaves and clippings remain toxic, so garden waste can also be a risk.

How to recognize it

Oleander is an evergreen shrub with narrow, leathery, lance-shaped leaves and clusters of pink, white, red or yellow flowers. It is widely planted in hedges, gardens and along roads in warm, dry climates.

Signs to watch for

• Drooling, vomiting and diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Slow, fast or irregular heartbeat
• Weakness, trembling or collapse

What to do

• Contact a veterinarian immediately if your pet chews any part of an oleander.
• Do not let pets drink water from containers where oleander clippings have soaked.
• Dispose of pruned branches where pets cannot reach them.

Where do pets actually run into oleander?

Oleander is a tough hedge plant, so it lines yards, parking lots, schools and roadsides in warm, dry regions. Dogs that chew sticks may pick up a stem from under a hedge. Clippings left in piles, raked into mulch or tossed into a yard waste bin stay toxic after they dry out.

Cats rarely eat oleander, but potted oleanders are sometimes kept on patios or brought indoors for winter in cooler climates. A plant within reach of a cat that chews leaves is a real risk. Keep the pot somewhere the cat cannot climb to, and sweep up fallen leaves and flowers.

Is yellow oleander the same plant?

No, but it is just as much of a concern. Yellow oleander (Cascabela thevetia, also sold as Thevetia) is a different shrub with narrow leaves, yellow or orange tube-shaped flowers and hard, triangular seed pods. It also contains cardiac glycosides that act on the heart in a similar way.

Oleander flowers come in several colors, including yellow, so flower color alone will not tell you which one you have. If a pet chewed either plant, the advice is the same: call a vet right away.

How do vets treat oleander poisoning?

The heart is the main concern. After an exam, the vet may decide to empty the stomach and give activated charcoal, sometimes in repeated doses. The pet is usually hospitalized so the heart rhythm can be watched on an ECG.

Blood tests check potassium, which can climb with this type of poisoning. Treatment may include fluids, drugs to control an abnormal heart rate, and, in severe cases, digoxin-specific antibody fragments that bind the toxin. That product is expensive and not stocked everywhere, which is one more reason to call early.

Pet-safe alternatives

Looking for something similar without the risk? These plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

• Non-toxicAreca palm
• Non-toxicBoston fern

Common questions

Is oleander poisonous to pets?

Cats: Toxic. Dogs: Toxic. Yes. Oleander is highly toxic to dogs and cats because it contains substances that affect the heart.

Is it safe to keep oleander in a home with cats and dogs?

Not within your pets' reach. Dispose of pruned branches where pets cannot reach them.

What should I do if my pet chews oleander?

Contact a veterinarian immediately if your pet chews any part of an oleander. Do not let pets drink water from containers where oleander clippings have soaked.

Which pet-safe plants can I grow instead of oleander?

Areca palm and Boston fern are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

← All plants

Sources

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List (dogs, cats).
• Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicology section.