Garden
Is Hydrangea toxic to cats and dogs?
Hydrangea macrophylla · also called Hortensia
Cats
Mildly toxicDogs
Mildly toxicHydrangeas contain cyanogenic glycosides. Pets rarely eat enough to be seriously poisoned, but chewing them causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
By Maya Hart
If your pet chewed it
- Rinse your pet’s mouth with water and offer a drink.
- Most pets recover within a few hours; call your vet if drooling, vomiting or pawing at the mouth continues.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Lethargy
What is harmful
- Parts
- Leaves, flowers and buds
- Substance
- Cyanogenic glycosides (hydrangin)
The details
The bitter taste stops most pets after a bite. Puppies that chew anything and everything are the most likely to eat enough to be unwell.
Pet-safe alternatives
- Roses
- Camellia
- Hibiscus
Questions owners ask
Is Hydrangea toxic to cats?
Yes — mildly toxic to cats. Harmful parts: leaves, flowers and buds.
Is Hydrangea toxic to dogs?
Yes — mildly toxic to dogs. Harmful parts: leaves, flowers and buds.
What happens if a pet eats hydrangea?
vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy.
What should I do if my pet chewed it?
Rinse your pet’s mouth with water and offer a drink. Most pets recover within a few hours; call your vet if drooling, vomiting or pawing at the mouth continues.
What are pet-safe alternatives to hydrangea?
Roses, Camellia, Hibiscus.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
