Hyacinth

Yes, hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis) are toxic to cats. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals and alkaloids that cause intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips, along with excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

The bulb is the most toxic part. While leaves and petals can still cause irritation and GI upset, a cat that chews or ingests a bulb faces a higher risk of severe symptoms — including vomiting with blood, tremors, and weakness — and warrants an immediate call to your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Gently rinse your cat's mouth with lukewarm water if she will tolerate it, and remove any remaining plant material. Do NOT try to induce vomiting at home — it is not safe to do in cats. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away for guidance.

Symptoms typically appear within 1–2 hours of ingestion, often sooner with bulb exposure because the irritant crystals act on contact. With supportive care such as anti-nausea medication and fluids, most cats recover within 24–48 hours, though bulb ingestions can take longer. Seek immediate veterinary attention if you see tremors, weakness, blood in vomit, or labored breathing.

Yes, hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis) are toxic to dogs. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals and alkaloids that irritate the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, causing drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. The bulb is the most dangerous part — ingesting it can cause more severe GI distress than chewing on leaves or petals.

The most common signs are heavy drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea, sometimes with blood. With larger ingestions — especially of the bulb — watch for elevated heart rate, labored breathing, and abdominal pain. Symptoms typically appear within 1–2 hours of ingestion.

Remove any remaining plant or bulb pieces and rinse your dog's mouth with water if they'll allow it. Do not induce vomiting at home — bulb material can re-irritate the throat on the way back up. Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or your vet immediately for guidance before giving any medication.

Call your vet immediately if your dog swallowed a whole bulb, or if you see persistent vomiting, blood in the vomit or stool, fast or labored breathing, or signs of an obstruction (repeated retching with nothing coming up and a painful belly). A small nibble of leaf or petal with mild drooling that clears up quickly can be monitored at home, but still call (888) 426-4435 for guidance. Most uncomplicated cases resolve within 24–48 hours with supportive care.