Cats & 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
Pet safety reference
Doghobble
Leucothoe spp.
Leucothoe is a genus of evergreen shrubs known for their arching branches and drooping clusters of bell-shaped flowers. These plants contain grayanotoxins, which are harmful if ingested by household pets.
Black LaurelDoghobbleFetterbushLeucothoe spp.
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Habit
- Shrub
- Care
- Moderate
Safety status
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.
Cats — concern notes
Common signs
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and potential cardiac irregularities.
Escalation note
Ingestion can lead to serious systemic effects due to grayanotoxins; contact your veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
Excessive salivation, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and potential tremors or cardiac distress.
Escalation note
The plant is considered highly toxic to dogs; seek emergency veterinary care if any part of the plant is consumed.
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
Black Laurel contains grayanotoxins which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and cardiovascular issues in pets.
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
botanical · 94% reliability
Leucothoe species are evergreen shrubs that are known to be toxic to animals if ingested.
Questions about Doghobble
Is doghobble toxic to cats?
Yes, doghobble (Leucothoe spp.) is toxic to cats. The plant contains grayanotoxins that can cause serious systemic effects if ingested, including drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and potentially dangerous cardiac irregularities.
What symptoms will my cat show after eating doghobble?
Hypersalivation and repeated vomiting are typically the first signs, usually appearing within 1–4 hours of ingestion (occasionally up to 12 hours). These can progress to diarrhea, weakness, and depression. Larger ingestions may lead to low blood pressure, cardiovascular collapse, coma, and death.
What should I do if my cat ate part of a doghobble plant?
Call a veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately — do not wait for severe symptoms to appear. If your cat is collapsing, unresponsive, or has an irregular pulse, get to an emergency vet right away.
What toxin in doghobble makes it dangerous to cats?
Doghobble contains grayanotoxins, the same class of compounds found in related plants like rhododendron and azalea. These toxins interfere with cellular ion channels and can disrupt the heart and nervous system, which is why even moderate ingestion can escalate to cardiovascular collapse.
Is doghobble toxic to dogs?
Yes, doghobble (Leucothoe spp.) is highly toxic to dogs. The plant contains grayanotoxins that can cause serious harm if any part is ingested, and emergency veterinary care should be sought immediately.
What are the symptoms of doghobble poisoning in dogs?
Signs typically appear within 1–4 hours of ingestion (sometimes up to 12 hours) and begin with excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. Larger ingestions can progress to weakness, low blood pressure, tremors, cardiovascular collapse, coma, and potentially death.
What should I do if my dog ate doghobble?
Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately — do not wait for symptoms to appear. If your dog is collapsing, unresponsive, or has an irregular pulse, go straight to emergency veterinary care.
What makes doghobble poisonous to dogs?
Doghobble contains grayanotoxins, a class of compounds found throughout the Leucothoe genus. These toxins interfere with normal cellular function and can cause cardiovascular distress at higher doses, which is why even small ingestions warrant an immediate call to poison control.
Often compared with
Same safety verdict
Other plants with the same verdict
Azalea
Rhododendron spp
Azaleas are flowering shrubs in the Rhododendron genus that contain grayanotoxins, which can cause significant illness if ingested by pets. These plants are highly toxic and require immediate veterinary attention if consumption is suspected.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Barbados Pride
Poinciana gilliesii
Barbados Pride is a flowering shrub known for its striking yellow flowers and long red stamens. It contains compounds that can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested by pets.
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Boxwood
Buxus spp.
Boxwood is a popular evergreen shrub often used for hedging and topiary, containing steroidal alkaloids that can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested. It is considered toxic to both cats and dogs.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Castor Bean
Ricinus communis
The African Wonder Tree is a fast-growing ornamental shrub known for its large, palm-like leaves and unique seed pods. It contains ricin, a highly potent toxin found throughout the plant, with the highest concentration in the seeds.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.