DogPoisonCheck

    Dog Ate Foxglove: Toxicity, Symptoms & What to Do

    URGENT — Contact your veterinarian or a poison control hotline now

    Quick answer

    No reliable single safe dose of foxglove 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 — Foxglove

    Find an Emergency VetCheck your dog's risk

    Did your dog eat something else too?

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

    Is foxglove toxic to dogs?Toxic dose by dog weightSymptoms timelineGo to the vet / call ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 now if…First aid: do's and don'tsHow vets treat foxglove exposurePrognosis

    Foxglove is on our critical-substance reference list.

    If your dog has ingested any amount, contact your veterinarian. 24/7 animal poison-control hotlines (ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Pet Poison Helpline) are also available — fees may apply.

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

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    Symptoms timeline

    1. 0-2 Hours
      • Drooling
      • Vomiting
      • Diarrhea
    2. 2-12 Hours
      • Abnormal heart rhythm
      • Slow heart rate
      • Weakness
      • Tremors
    3. 12-72 Hours
      • Collapse
      • Cardiac arrest
    4. Days later
      • Some poisonings show signs later than this. If in doubt, call your vet.

    Is foxglove toxic to dogs?

    Foxglove is the natural source of digitalis heart drugs. Its cardiac glycosides can cause dangerous heart rhythm changes in dogs, even after small ingestions. The toxic principle is cardiac glycosides (digitoxin and related compounds).

    Toxic dose by dog weight

    There is no reliable numeric toxic dose for foxglove in dogs, so we don't show a weight-band table — inventing one would be misleading. No safe dose. Leaves, flowers and seeds all contain cardiac glycosides. Treat any ingestion as an emergency. Smaller dogs (toy and small breeds) are generally at higher risk from any given amount.

    Symptoms timeline

    0–2 hours: drooling, vomiting, diarrhea.

    2–12 hours: abnormal heart rhythm, slow heart rate, weakness, tremors.

    12–72 hours: collapse, cardiac arrest.

    Days later: some poisonings show signs later than this. If in doubt, call your vet.

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

    • Your dog ate any part of a foxglove plant
    • Your dog has an irregular heartbeat, weakness or collapses
    • 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 foxglove 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 foxglove 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 foxglove and dogs

    How much foxglove is toxic to dogs?▾

    There is no reliable numeric toxic dose for foxglove in dogs. No safe dose. Leaves, flowers and seeds all contain cardiac glycosides. Treat any ingestion as an emergency.

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

    Early signs may include drooling, vomiting in the first hours. Between 2 and 12 hours, watch for abnormal heart rhythm, slow heart rate. Some effects can appear 12–72 hours later. Some poisonings show signs later than this, sometimes days later. If in doubt, call 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 foxglove?▾

    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 foxglove water from a vase dangerous?▾

    Yes. Cardiac glycosides can leach into vase water, so a dog drinking from a foxglove arrangement should be assessed.

    How is foxglove poisoning treated?▾

    Treatment usually includes decontamination when appropriate, heart monitoring (ECG), correcting electrolytes and, in severe cases, digoxin-specific antibody fragments.

    References

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    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.