Mayweed — Banfield
Photo by BanfieldWikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 3.0
dog safety reference

Is Mayweed safe for dogs?

Anthemis cotula

Mayweed is a flowering herbaceous plant in the daisy family known for its strong scent and daisy-like blooms. It is considered toxic to pets due to the presence of compounds that can cause irritation upon contact or ingestion.

Anthemis cotulaDog FennelStinking ChamomileStinking Mayweed
Light
Full sun
Habit
Upright herbaceous annual
Care
Low

Safety status

Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

What this means for your dog

Dogs should stay away from mayweed (also called stinking chamomile or poison daisy). The ASPCA classifies it as toxic to dogs because of volatile oils — bisabolol, chamazulene, anthemic acid, and tannic acid — that irritate skin and the GI tract on contact or ingestion.

What to watch for

Most common: contact dermatitis (red, itchy skin where the dog brushed the plant), vomiting, and diarrhea. Less common but worth noting: anorexia, allergic reactions, and — with chronic exposure — bleeding tendencies. Severity is usually mild-to-moderate from a one-time encounter.

Time window

ASPCA does not give a specific onset/duration. Contact dermatitis typically appears within hours of exposure; GI signs from ingestion usually show up the same day. Exact timing not well documented for this plant.

When to call the vet

Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) if your dog has eaten more than a nibble, is vomiting repeatedly, has visible skin irritation that isn't improving, or stops eating. Routine brush-by contact with mild itching can usually be managed at home, but escalate if symptoms worsen.

Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance).

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

Skin redness, blistering, oral irritation, and digestive distress.

Escalation note

The plant contains volatile oils that can irritate the skin and mucous membranes. Consult a veterinarian if your dog shows signs of discomfort or persistent vomiting.

Safer alternatives

No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Mayweed is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs by the ASPCA.

Cats & dogs pagecats pageMy dog ate Mayweed

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