Are Hydrangeas Poisonous To Dogs?

Hydrangeas are lovely flowers that come in different colors of blues, pinks and purples. These flowers are lovely to see and many people have them in their gardens. If you don’t have these flowers in your garden, chances are you will encounter them on one of your dog walks. As a dog owner, you may wonder if these flowers are poisonous to your pup or if you have nothing to worry about. The answer is definitely yes, hydrangeas are poisonous especially when consumed in large quantities.

What’s in Hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas contain a chemical known as cyanogenic glycoside, also known as amygdalin. And when your pup consumes any part of the plant, whether its the leaves, the flowers, the stems or the buds, it will cause problems, especially when it’s in large quantities. In tiny amounts, it will cause only vomiting and diarrhea. In larger amounts, it is poisonous and may lead to more serious complications.

Types Hydrangea  and Where The Danger Hides

There are many types of hydrangea, including: 

• Bigleaf
• Panicle
• Oakleaf and others. 

The  exact level of toxin for each can vary, but for safety it is best to regard each hydrangea as harmful to your dog. However, according to research, the leaves and buds are said to contain the highest levels of toxin. Therefore, there may be a greater risk if your dog chews on any of these parts.

What Signs Should You Watch For?

When your dog chews on hydrangea, signs of intoxication will appear within a few hours. These may include: 

• Vomiting and diarrhea.
• Drooling, lack of energy or a dull, sleepy look.
• Sometimes fast breathing, a faster heart rate, or muscle tremors in severe cases.
  Most of the time symptoms are mild and short-lived, but any worrying signs need a quick check by a vet.

How Serious Is It?

Good news first! Severe cyanide poisoning from hydrangeas is rare. Most dogs who eat a few bits get an upset stomach and then recover with simple care. However, very small dogs, puppies, or animals that eat a large amount of plant material can become more poorly and might need treatment. Veterinary guides note that large ingestions or sensitive animals are where real danger lies.

What to Do If Your Dog Eats Hydrangea

If you suspect that your dog has eaten hydrangea, or if you’ve seen them do so, it is advised to remain calm and follow these steps: 

1. Remove the dog from the plant and check how much was eaten.
   
2. Call your vet or a poison hotline. In the US you can call Pet Poison Helpline; in the UK phone your vet or local emergency service. Don’t give home remedies unless a professional tells you to.
   
3. Your vet may advise monitoring at home for mild cases, or bringing your dog in for checks and fluids if they are vomiting, weak, or showing other worrying signs.
   The vet may give activated charcoal, fluids, and other support as needed. Do not try to make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to, this can sometimes make things worse.

Prevention tips: easy and smart

• Plant hydrangeas where dogs cannot reach them, or use fencing and barriers. Check out these top rated fencing options: Decorative Garden Fencing Border, Tall Decorative Garden Fence (pack of 10), or Sturdy Metal Outdoor Fence Border
  
• If you cut hydrangeas for the house, keep the vase well out of reach.
  
• Teach chew-prone dogs to leave plants alone using training and safe chew toys.
  
• Know which plants are in your garden , small changes can keep curious pups safe.
  
• Don’t leave fresh clippings on paths or compost heaps where a dog can reach them.

Final Thought

Hydrangeas are beautiful but they are not pet friendly. In case your dog chews hydrangea and presents any symptoms of sickness, call your veterinarian or a poison control center immediately. A quick call can stop a minor upset from becoming a big problem and let your furry friend get back to sniffing the roses. When in doubt, call your vet. Take a photo or a small plant sample to show medical providers if you go to a clinic.

To find out more about things that are poisonous to dogs, check out Outdoor Dog World’s post titled “What Can Dogs Eat“.