Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My dog ate Coontie Palm - what should I do?
Zamia pumila
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, bloody stools, jaundice, increased thirst, bruising, and liver damage.
Escalation note
The entire plant is considered poisonous to dogs. Immediate veterinary intervention is required as symptoms can progress rapidly to liver failure.
What to watch for
Vomiting (often bloody), bloody or dark stools, drooling, severe lethargy, increased thirst, jaundice (yellow gums or skin), bruising, and tremors or weakness as liver failure sets in.
Time window
Pet Poison Helpline reports GI signs in dogs typically begin 15 minutes to 4 hours after ingestion; liver failure can develop over the next 2–3 days. Survival drops sharply when treatment is delayed.
When to call the vet
Go now. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) en route to the clinic — do not wait for symptoms. Any chewed leaf or swallowed seed is a true emergency.
What this means for your dog
Dogs are the pet most often poisoned by coontie palm — they'll chew seeds, leaves, or roots dropped in the yard, and ASPCA reports even one or two seeds can be fatal. Pet Poison Helpline lists this cycad family among the deadliest plants for dogs, with roughly half surviving even with treatment.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.