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
Despite its name, the sago palm is not a true palm but a cycad. All parts contain cycasin, which damages the liver. The seeds (nuts) contain the highest concentration, and eating just one or two can be serious for a dog.
Sago palms are popular as houseplants and in warm-climate gardens, and dogs are most often poisoned by chewing the seeds or leaves.
How to recognize it
Stiff, glossy, dark green feather-like fronds grow in a rosette from a short, thick, shaggy trunk, and female plants carry orange-red seeds in the center. It is often sold as a small potted "palm" or bonsai and planted in warm-climate gardens.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting (sometimes with blood) and diarrhea
- Drooling and loss of appetite
- Lethargy and weakness
- Yellowing of the gums or eyes, bruising or bleeding as the liver is damaged
- Tremors or seizures in severe cases
What to do
- Treat any ingestion as an emergency and contact a veterinarian immediately.
- Remove seeds and fallen leaves promptly if you keep this plant outdoors.
- In homes with pets, choose a non-toxic palm such as the areca palm instead.
Pet-safe alternatives
Looking for something similar without the risk? These plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Related plants
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List (dogs, cats).
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicology section.