Foxglove

Yes, foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is highly toxic to cats. It contains potent cardiac glycosides, and ingestion of any part of the plant — leaves, flowers, or seeds — can cause life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances.

Early signs include vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. These can progress to weakness, tremors, slow or irregular pulse, collapse, and seizures. Cardiac effects can develop or worsen over many hours, and some cats deteriorate suddenly with little warning between the initial GI signs and the cardiac signs.

Go to an emergency vet immediately and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. Do not try to induce vomiting at home — the priority is ECG monitoring and IV access. Even if your cat looks fine right now, foxglove ingestion requires cardiac monitoring before signs progress.

First signs typically appear within minutes, though onset can be delayed up to 1–2 hours. Cardiac effects can develop or continue to worsen well beyond the initial gastrointestinal symptoms, so monitoring is required for many hours after ingestion.

Yes, foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is highly toxic to dogs. It contains potent cardiac glycosides that directly affect the heart muscle, and even small amounts can cause severe clinical signs. It is considered a veterinary emergency.

Early signs include vomiting (sometimes bloody), diarrhea, and abdominal pain. These can be followed by weakness, tremors, an irregular or unusually slow pulse, and collapse. Cardiac effects can appear suddenly even after initial GI symptoms seem to be improving, and can persist and worsen for many hours.

Go to an emergency vet immediately — do not wait for symptoms. Do not induce vomiting at home unless poison control specifically instructs you to, as the dog will need IV fluids, ECG monitoring, and possibly digoxin-binding antibodies. Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 on the way.

Initial signs typically appear within minutes of ingestion, though some dogs don't show symptoms for an hour or two. Because cardiac effects can develop suddenly and worsen well after GI signs subside, veterinary monitoring is essential far beyond the initial phase — even a dog that seems to stabilize early still needs extended cardiac observation.