Butterfly Iris

Yes, Butterfly Iris (Iris spuria) is potentially toxic to cats. All parts of the plant can cause gastrointestinal irritation if ingested, with the rhizome (the bulb-like underground stem) being the most toxic part.

Expect drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Oral and GI irritation is the dominant pattern — if your cat chewed on the rhizome rather than just a leaf, the GI signs tend to be more pronounced and persistent. Symptoms can appear as soon as 2 hours after ingestion.

Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and fur, pick up remaining pieces, and rinse any sap off the skin or around the mouth with water. Do not induce vomiting on your own. Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 — especially if you saw your cat chew the rhizome, which warrants an immediate call.

The rhizome — the thick, fleshy underground stem — is the most toxic part of the Butterfly Iris. Ingestion of the rhizome causes more pronounced and longer-lasting GI signs than leaf ingestion, and recovery can take longer than the typical 24–48 hours seen with leaf exposures.

Yes, Butterfly Iris (Iris spuria) is potentially toxic to dogs. It contains irritating compounds that can cause digestive upset, including vomiting, drooling, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.

The most common signs are drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort, often accompanied by lethargy. Severity scales with how much was eaten — rhizome ingestions tend to cause more pronounced GI upset, prolonged loss of appetite, and dehydration. If your dog contacted cut sap, also watch for skin or eye irritation.

Stay calm and remove any plant pieces from your dog's mouth and fur, then block access to the plant. If there's sap on the eyes, mouth, or skin, flush with water. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a professional. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 before heading in so they can prepare for treatment.

Yes — the rhizome (underground root) is the most concerning part. Digging up and chewing the rhizome warrants an immediate call to your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661), as it can produce GI signs that linger several days and may require IV support, compared to milder, shorter-lived upset from leaf nibbling. Small dogs and puppies should be evaluated even after small ingestions.