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ToxicEmergency

Is sago palm toxic to dogs? Yes: highly toxic

Highly toxic. Every part of the sago palm, especially the seeds, can cause liver failure and can kill a dog.

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

Sago palm and dogs: key facts

Verdict: Toxic · Emergency: get help now
What it can do: Vomiting, sometimes with blood, diarrhea or black, tarry stool, lethargy and weakness, increased thirst and wobbly walking, tremors or seizures. All 7
How fast: 15 minutes to several hours; liver failure can take 48-72 hours to show
What to do now: Call your vet or a pet poison line now. All steps
Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, VCA Animal Hospitals, Pet Poison Helpline. Reviewed 9 October 2026.

What should I do if my dog ate sago palm?

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.
Get help even if your dog seems fine; liver damage can show up days later.

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, sometimes with blood
Diarrhea or black, tarry stool
Lethargy and weakness
Increased thirst
Wobbly walking, tremors or seizures
Yellow gums or eyes (jaundice)
Bruising or bleeding

When signs appear: 15 minutes to several hours; liver failure can take 48-72 hours to show

Why

Sago palms contain cycasin, a toxin that damages the liver. The seeds (nuts) are the most toxic part.

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.