Dogs
Potentially toxicConsulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Sources
dog safety reference
Is Sheep Laurel safe for dogs?
Kalmia angustifolia
Lambkill is a flowering evergreen shrub in the heath family known for containing grayanotoxins. Ingestion of any part of the plant can cause significant health issues in pets.
Kalmia angustifoliaLow laurelSheep laurelWicky
- Light
- Partial shade to full sun
- Habit
- Shrub
- Care
- Moderate
Safety status
What this means for your dog
Sheep laurel is a serious poisoning risk for dogs. Its grayanotoxins disrupt the sodium channels in heart and skeletal muscle, causing GI upset that can progress to arrhythmias, seizures, coma, and death. Curious dogs and puppies that browse on yard shrubs are the typical patients — treat any suspected ingestion as an emergency.
What to watch for
Early: heavy drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. Then weakness, tremors, unsteady walking, slow or irregular heartbeat, and labored breathing. Severe cases progress to collapse, seizures, or coma.
Time window
Clinical signs develop within 1–4 hours of ingestion, occasionally as long as 12 hours. Cardiac and neurologic effects can persist for 24 hours or more and need in-hospital monitoring.
When to call the vet
Call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline immediately for any suspected ingestion — do not wait to see if your dog "gets over it." Larger ingestions and small dogs need emergency care without delay.
First aid at home
Do not induce vomiting at home unless a vet or Pet Poison Helpline specifically directs you to. Remove any plant material from your dog's mouth, bag a sample to bring with you, and head to the vet now.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
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.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
Excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, difficulty breathing, and potential heart rate irregularities.
Escalation note
Ingestion can lead to severe systemic poisoning. Seek emergency veterinary care if your dog has consumed any part of this plant.
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
Lambkill (Kalmia angustifolia) is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs due to grayanotoxins.
Same dog verdict
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