Pokeweeds are attractive flowering shrubs, and their large berries provide beneficial fuel for migratory birds. However, they aren’t ideal landscaping plants. With their aggressive, weedy habit, pokeweeds can quickly take over your yard. Plus, pokeberries and dogs aren’t a good combination, especially if your pet likes to nibble on fruiting plants or dig up their roots.
Pokeweeds aren’t as toxic to dogs as some plants, such as the popular Sago Palm or Lily of the Valley. However, it’s worth being aware of the risks of pokeweed poisoning if you live in an area where they grow.
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The pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), also known as pokeberry, inkberry, and pigeonberry weed, is a North American native perennial shrub. Growing in USDA hardiness zones four to eight, you can find this resilient plant in many parts of the U.S., growing on woodland edges, along fence rows, and in pastures and sections of wasteland.
Fast-growing and readily self-seeding, pokeweeds can spread rapidly. The shrubs can grow to over 10 feet high and have long, fleshy taproots, which can be challenging to remove. The arching shrub produces long-lasting, linear clusters of white blooms in early summer that give way to large berries in the late summer and early fall. The berries ripen to a dark blue or purple shade, attracting birds to your yard.
All parts of the pokeweed plant, including the root, stems, leaves and berries, are toxic to dogs. Dr. Renee Schmid, Senior Veterinary Toxicologist at the Pet Poison Helpline, explains that the plant contains compounds called saponins, which are very irritating to the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. Pokeweeds also contain irritating oxalates and histamines.
“Ingesting any amount [of pokeweed] can cause stomach upset,” Dr. Schmid says. “However, when the leaves, shoots, and berries are cooked, it’s usually less likely to.”
Peer-reviewed studies on the toxicity levels of pokeweed plants are limited. However, it’s widely reported that the root is the most poisonous part. While the berries may not be as toxic as the root or mature leaves and stems, they’re still hazardous to your pet, especially when they eat more than a few.
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“We have seen several cases [of pokeweed poisoning in dogs], and all look like they either did not have any symptoms or just mild stomach effects,” Dr. Schmid says. “We will usually only see gastrointestinal upset, with vomiting and diarrhea.” However, more serious and occasionally life-threatening symptoms can occur if your dog consumes large quantities.
Signs of poisoning in dogs by pokeweed usually come on rapidly (within a few hours) and can include:
Dr. Schmid recommends contacting the Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian for advice if your dog eats any part of the pokeberry plant—unless you’re sure it was only one or two berries, and they’re showing no symptoms.
“Every situation is different, and if your pet has medical issues, it may affect how they respond to the ingestion,” she says. “Also, sometimes, what we see as owners being ingested isn’t all they ingested. We can give the owner guidance and things to look for in case the exposure was more than they were expecting.”
If you’re concerned your dog may have eaten a larger quantity of pokeweed, or they’re displaying concerning symptoms, such as weakness or respiratory difficulty, it’s best to go straight to a veterinary hospital. Rapid treatment reduces the chance of there being any serious or long-lasting effects. It’s helpful to take a photo of the plant and, where possible, bring a piece along for identification.
Never try to make your dog throw up at home unless advised by a veterinarian.
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Unless your dog has eaten a large quantity of a pokeweed plant, symptomatic care is typically the best treatment. “That might consist of a bland diet, an anti-emetic (medication to help stop vomiting and nausea), and medication to help with diarrhea,” Dr. Schmid says.
Inducing vomiting would only happen if your veterinarian suspects your dog has ingested a large quantity of pokeweed plant, and it happened within a few hours of the visit. In rare, severe cases, a veterinarian may hospitalize the dog for 48 hours to monitor their condition and administer supportive care, such as activated charcoal to bind the toxins and IV fluids to rehydrate.
Most dogs will have made a significant recovery within one to two days.
Whether you remove pokeweed plants from your yard as a precaution depends on your dog and your yard setup.
The crushed leaves and stems of pokeweed emit an acrid odor, and while birds enjoy the berries, most animals find them unpalatable, meaning your dog is likely to avoid this shrub.
However, if you have a curious new puppy, a dog that loves digging in soil, or one with previous experience eating plants that are poisonous, it may be better to dig up this shrub and its long, toxic taproot. Regularly lifting fallen berries is also a sensible strategy—the saponins released if your dog crushes them underfoot could irritate their paws.
If you’re attached to your pokeweed shrub, you could also fence it off to keep it out of your dog’s reach.
The post Pokeberries and Dogs: What to Know About Pokeweed Poisoning appeared first on American Kennel Club.
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Pokeweeds aren’t as toxic to dogs as some plants, such as the popular Sago Palm or Lily of the Valley. However, it’s worth being aware of the risks of pokeweed poisoning if you live in an area where they grow.
What Are Pokeweed Plants?
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The pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), also known as pokeberry, inkberry, and pigeonberry weed, is a North American native perennial shrub. Growing in USDA hardiness zones four to eight, you can find this resilient plant in many parts of the U.S., growing on woodland edges, along fence rows, and in pastures and sections of wasteland.
Fast-growing and readily self-seeding, pokeweeds can spread rapidly. The shrubs can grow to over 10 feet high and have long, fleshy taproots, which can be challenging to remove. The arching shrub produces long-lasting, linear clusters of white blooms in early summer that give way to large berries in the late summer and early fall. The berries ripen to a dark blue or purple shade, attracting birds to your yard.
Are Pokeberries Toxic to Dogs?
All parts of the pokeweed plant, including the root, stems, leaves and berries, are toxic to dogs. Dr. Renee Schmid, Senior Veterinary Toxicologist at the Pet Poison Helpline, explains that the plant contains compounds called saponins, which are very irritating to the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. Pokeweeds also contain irritating oxalates and histamines.
“Ingesting any amount [of pokeweed] can cause stomach upset,” Dr. Schmid says. “However, when the leaves, shoots, and berries are cooked, it’s usually less likely to.”
Peer-reviewed studies on the toxicity levels of pokeweed plants are limited. However, it’s widely reported that the root is the most poisonous part. While the berries may not be as toxic as the root or mature leaves and stems, they’re still hazardous to your pet, especially when they eat more than a few.
Symptoms of Pokeweed Poisoning in Dogs
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“We have seen several cases [of pokeweed poisoning in dogs], and all look like they either did not have any symptoms or just mild stomach effects,” Dr. Schmid says. “We will usually only see gastrointestinal upset, with vomiting and diarrhea.” However, more serious and occasionally life-threatening symptoms can occur if your dog consumes large quantities.
Signs of poisoning in dogs by pokeweed usually come on rapidly (within a few hours) and can include:
Drooling, since saponins can burn the mouth
Coughing
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Tremors
Lethargy or collapse, often as a result of a drop in blood pressure
Shortness of breath
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Pokeberries?
Dr. Schmid recommends contacting the Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian for advice if your dog eats any part of the pokeberry plant—unless you’re sure it was only one or two berries, and they’re showing no symptoms.
“Every situation is different, and if your pet has medical issues, it may affect how they respond to the ingestion,” she says. “Also, sometimes, what we see as owners being ingested isn’t all they ingested. We can give the owner guidance and things to look for in case the exposure was more than they were expecting.”
If you’re concerned your dog may have eaten a larger quantity of pokeweed, or they’re displaying concerning symptoms, such as weakness or respiratory difficulty, it’s best to go straight to a veterinary hospital. Rapid treatment reduces the chance of there being any serious or long-lasting effects. It’s helpful to take a photo of the plant and, where possible, bring a piece along for identification.
Never try to make your dog throw up at home unless advised by a veterinarian.
Lancan - stock.adobe.com
What Is the Treatment for Pokeberry Poisoning in Dogs?
Unless your dog has eaten a large quantity of a pokeweed plant, symptomatic care is typically the best treatment. “That might consist of a bland diet, an anti-emetic (medication to help stop vomiting and nausea), and medication to help with diarrhea,” Dr. Schmid says.
Inducing vomiting would only happen if your veterinarian suspects your dog has ingested a large quantity of pokeweed plant, and it happened within a few hours of the visit. In rare, severe cases, a veterinarian may hospitalize the dog for 48 hours to monitor their condition and administer supportive care, such as activated charcoal to bind the toxins and IV fluids to rehydrate.
Most dogs will have made a significant recovery within one to two days.
Should I Remove Pokeweed Plants From My Yard?
Whether you remove pokeweed plants from your yard as a precaution depends on your dog and your yard setup.
The crushed leaves and stems of pokeweed emit an acrid odor, and while birds enjoy the berries, most animals find them unpalatable, meaning your dog is likely to avoid this shrub.
However, if you have a curious new puppy, a dog that loves digging in soil, or one with previous experience eating plants that are poisonous, it may be better to dig up this shrub and its long, toxic taproot. Regularly lifting fallen berries is also a sensible strategy—the saponins released if your dog crushes them underfoot could irritate their paws.
If you’re attached to your pokeweed shrub, you could also fence it off to keep it out of your dog’s reach.
The post Pokeberries and Dogs: What to Know About Pokeweed Poisoning appeared first on American Kennel Club.
Read more...
