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Toxic

Is ragwort toxic to dogs? Yes: toxic

Toxic. Ragwort contains toxins that can damage the liver, causing weakness, drowsiness, wobbliness and yellow gums.

If your dog ate or touched this, call your vet or a pet poison line now

United States

ASPCA Poison Control+1 (888) 426-443524/7, 365 days a year · A consultation fee may apply · Run by the ASPCA for pet owners and vets.
Pet Poison Helpline+1 (855) 764-766124/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

Poison lines in other countries: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, JM, PR, Singapore, Switzerland, TT, VI

United Kingdom

Animal PoisonLine+44 1202 50900024 hours a day · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service for pet owners; for collapse, fits or breathing trouble, call your vet.

Canada

Pet Poison Helpline+1 (855) 764-766124/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

Australia

Animal Poisons Helpline1300 869 73824/7 · From A$79 per consultation; their website has the current price · Staffed by poisons information consultants with emergency vet or pharmacy backgrounds.

New Zealand

NZ Animal Poisons Helpline0800 869 73824/7 · Charges apply · The NZ National Poisons Centre does not advise on animals and refers pet owners here.

Belgium

Centre Antipoisons / Antigifcentrum070 245 245Animal questions: weekdays 8:00 to 16:00; weekends and public holidays 10:00 to 16:00 · Free call · Human poison center that also takes animal questions; human emergencies get priority, so call your vet first.

France

CNITV (Centre National d'Informations Toxicologiques Vétérinaires)+33 4 78 87 10 408:30 am to midnight, every day · Veterinary poison center that answers vets and pet owners; call your own vet first if you can.

JM

Pet Poison Helpline+1 (952) 853-171624/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean. This is the number it gives for other Caribbean islands; it also lists a toll-free number for the Caribbean, +1 (877) 416-7319.

PR

Pet Poison Helpline+1 (877) 416-731924/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean; this is its toll-free number for callers in the Caribbean and the US Virgin Islands.

Singapore

Animal Poisons Helpline+65 3106 421624/7 · Ask about the fee when you call · Australia-based animal poison service; this is the Singapore number listed on its site.

Switzerland

Tox Info Suisse14524/7 · Swiss poison center that also tells owners how risky an animal exposure is; from abroad call +41 44 251 51 51.

TT

Pet Poison Helpline+1 (952) 853-171624/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean. This is the number it gives for other Caribbean islands; it also lists a toll-free number for the Caribbean, +1 (877) 416-7319.

VI

Pet Poison Helpline+1 (877) 416-731924/7 · A fee applies; their website has the current price · Serves the US, Canada and the Caribbean; this is its toll-free number for callers in the Caribbean and the US Virgin Islands.

Find an emergency vet

Ragwort and dogs: key facts

Verdict: Toxic · Call your vet or a poison line
What it can do: Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss, weakness and drowsiness and wobbly walking. All 7
How fast: Can be delayed; dogs may seem normal at first, then get worse over days
What to do now: Call your vet or a pet poison line now. All steps
Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, Pet Poison Helpline. Reviewed 9 October 2026.

What should I do if my dog ate ragwort?

Call your vet or a pet poison line now.
Take any plant pieces away and rinse your dog's mouth with water.
Bring a piece of the plant in a bag, or a photo, to help identify it.

Don't

Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Don't give milk, oil, salt or other home remedies unless a vet tells you to.

Symptoms to watch for

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Weakness and drowsiness
Wobbly walking
Yellow gums or eyes (jaundice)
Head pressing or wandering aimlessly

When signs appear: Can be delayed; dogs may seem normal at first, then get worse over days

Why

Ragwort contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can damage the liver. Animals don't find it tasty and usually avoid it.

Sources

Guide reviewed 9 October 2026. Page updated 7 November 2026.

General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.