Dog Ate Daffodil: Toxicity, Symptoms & What to Do

    Observe carefully — call your veterinarian if symptoms appear

    Quick answer

    No reliable single safe dose of daffodil is available for home assessment in this reference; call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for exposure-specific advice.

    Published reference: Merck Veterinary Manual — houseplants and ornamentals; Pet Poison Helpline — Daffodil

    Sources reviewed 14 Oct 2026·Last updated · 2 min read

    Dose figures describe published observations, not a safe home-treatment threshold. Use the cited reference and contact a veterinarian for your dog's exposure.

    Want this scaled to your dog?

    Personalized to your dog's exact weight, age, and timing. Takes 90 seconds.

    Get my dog's report

    Symptoms timeline

    1. 0-2 Hours
      • Vomiting
      • Drooling
      • Abdominal pain
    2. 2-12 Hours
      • Diarrhea
      • Lethargy
      • Abnormal heart rhythm (large ingestions)
    3. 12-72 Hours
      • Low blood pressure
      • Tremors or convulsions (rare, severe)

    Is daffodil toxic to dogs?

    Daffodils contain lycorine, an alkaloid that triggers strong vomiting, plus oxalate crystals. Bulbs are the most toxic part, and large ingestions can affect the heart. The toxic principle is lycorine and other alkaloids, plus oxalate crystals; highest in bulbs.

    Toxic dose by dog weight

    There is no reliable numeric toxic dose for daffodil in dogs, so we don't show a weight-band table — inventing one would be misleading. No reliable numeric dose. Bulb ingestion is most serious; vase water can also cause signs. Smaller dogs (toy and small breeds) are generally at higher risk from any given amount.

    Symptoms timeline

    0–2 hours: vomiting, drooling, abdominal pain.

    2–12 hours: diarrhea, lethargy, abnormal heart rhythm (large ingestions).

    12–72 hours: low blood pressure, tremors or convulsions (rare, severe).

    Go to the vet / call ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 now if…

    • Your dog ate a daffodil bulb
    • Vomiting is repeated or your dog is weak
    • Your dog has tremors or an irregular heartbeat
    • You are unsure what or how much your dog ate
    • Your dog is very young, old, pregnant or has heart, liver or kidney disease

    First aid: do's and don'ts

    Do:

    • Move your dog away from the source and remove any remaining material from their mouth if it is safe to do so
    • Keep the packaging, label or a sample/photo of what was eaten
    • Note your dog's weight, the approximate amount and the time of ingestion
    • Call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away

    Don't:

    • Never induce vomiting without veterinary advice — for some substances it causes more harm
    • Don't give salt, hydrogen peroxide, oils or home remedies unless a vet tells you to
    • Don't wait for symptoms if the substance is highly toxic
    • Don't give human medicines to treat symptoms

    How vets treat daffodil exposure

    Treatment depends on the amount, time since ingestion and your dog's signs. It may include decontamination when appropriate, activated charcoal for some toxins, IV fluids, medications to control signs, and monitoring. Bring the packaging so your vet can tailor treatment.

    Prognosis

    Most dogs treated early do well. The outlook depends on the dose, how quickly care begins, and your dog's overall health. Severe or delayed cases carry a more guarded prognosis.

    What to do now

    Call your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service for exposure-specific advice. Dog poison control: phone numbers, fees and when to call.

    Personalized report

    Get a personalized daffodil report for your dog

    Scaled to your dog's exact weight, age, and timing · Published toxicology sources · Instant download

    • Scaled to your dog's exact weight
    • Specific to time-since-ingestion
    • Vet talking points ready to read on the phone
    Get my dog's personalized report

    Takes 90 seconds · Personalized to your dog.

    Frequently asked questions about daffodil and dogs

    How much daffodil is toxic to dogs?▾

    There is no reliable numeric toxic dose for daffodil in dogs. No reliable numeric dose. Bulb ingestion is most serious; vase water can also cause signs.

    How long after eating daffodil will my dog show symptoms?▾

    Early signs may include vomiting, drooling in the first hours. Between 2 and 12 hours, watch for diarrhea, lethargy. Some effects can be delayed up to 72 hours, so keep monitoring and stay in touch with your vet.

    Should I make my dog vomit?▾

    Never induce vomiting without veterinary advice. For some substances, vomiting causes additional injury or aspiration. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 first.

    What will the vet do if my dog ate daffodil?▾

    Your vet will assess your dog, may decontaminate if appropriate, and provide supportive care such as fluids, medications and monitoring. Bring the packaging or a photo of what was eaten.

    Is daffodil vase water dangerous?▾

    It can cause vomiting and stomach upset. Keep arrangements out of reach.

    Are daffodils worse than tulips?▾

    Daffodils are generally considered more toxic, especially the bulbs, because their alkaloids can affect the heart in large ingestions.

    References

    Also compare

    Keep reading

    This is educational information, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs react differently based on health history, medications, age, and other factors this tool cannot know. When in doubt, contact your nearest veterinarian or emergency animal hospital.