Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My dog ate Spotted Water Hemlock - what should I do?
Cicuta maculata
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Vomiting, tremors, violent seizures, loss of coordination, and respiratory failure.
Escalation note
The toxins in this plant are fast-acting and life-threatening. Immediate veterinary intervention is required as there is no specific antidote for cicutoxin poisoning.
First aid at home
Pet Poison Helpline specifically warns owners never to give hydrogen peroxide to a pet without checking with a veterinary professional first, because it is not always safe to induce vomiting at home. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 and transport to an emergency vet immediately.
What to watch for
Pet Poison Helpline reports drooling, weakness, agitation, nervousness, twitching, seizures, and death from respiratory paralysis. ASPCA additionally lists diarrhea, extreme stomach pain, dilated pupils, fever, and bloat.
Time window
Pet Poison Helpline notes signs can begin shortly after ingestion. Specific recovery durations are not documented; severe cases are often fatal.
When to call the vet
Call immediately on any suspected ingestion — there is no antidote, and survival depends on emergency supportive care given quickly.
What this means for your dog
Dogs: among the most lethal plants in North America. Pet Poison Helpline describes cicutoxin as attacking neurons in the brain and CNS, with all parts of the plant poisonous and the roots most concentrated. Ingesting even small amounts of root material can cause violent seizures and respiratory paralysis.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.