Tickseed — (c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller
Photo by (c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan RockefelleriNaturalistCC BY
dog safety reference

Is Tickseed safe for dogs?

Coreopsis californica

Tickseed is a cheerful, daisy-like flowering plant often found in gardens and meadows. It is considered safe for pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

California CoreopsisCoreopsisCoreopsis californica
Light
Full sun
Habit
Clumping herbaceous perennial
Care
Low

Safety status

Dogs

Generally safe

Consulted references do not classify the plant as toxic for that pet type, while still allowing for mild GI upset if large amounts are chewed.

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

What this means for your dog

Tickseed is non-toxic to dogs per ASPCA — both Coreopsis californica and the genus Coreopsis are listed as safe for dogs.

Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance; non-toxic listing).

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

None expected; however, consumption of large amounts of fibrous plant material may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

Generally considered non-toxic. If your dog consumes a significant amount and shows persistent signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.

Bring it home

Tickseedis generally pet-safe in ordinary household exposure. If you’d like one for your space, here’s a starting point.

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Tickseed is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted botanical classification for Coreopsis californica.

Cats & dogs pagecats page

Questions about Tickseed

Is Tickseed (Coreopsis) toxic to dogs?

Tickseed is considered non-toxic to dogs. It is generally safe, with no toxic principles identified that would cause serious harm.

What happens if my dog eats Tickseed flowers or leaves?

Most dogs that nibble on Tickseed will have no reaction at all. Consuming a large amount of the fibrous plant material may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea due to the bulk of plant matter, not any toxic compound.

How much Tickseed would cause problems for a dog?

Small amounts are not expected to cause any symptoms. Problems, if they occur, are linked to consuming a significant quantity of plant material and are limited to minor GI upset — not poisoning. If your dog eats a large amount and shows persistent vomiting or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian.

Do I need to remove Tickseed from my garden if I have dogs?

Tickseed does not need to be removed on safety grounds — it is non-toxic to dogs. That said, non-toxic does not mean harmless in unlimited quantity; discourage your dog from grazing on any plant in large amounts to avoid GI upset.

Same dog verdict

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