Is Amaryllis Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Amaryllis spp.
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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | Yes |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | Yes |
| Toxic to horses | Yes |
| Toxic component | Lycorine, concentrated in the bulb |
| Onset of symptoms | Within a few hours |
| Indoor / outdoor | both |
If your pet ate this plant
Both lines are staffed 24/7. A consultation fee applies to each. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling.
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Symptoms in dogs
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Tremors with bulb ingestion
Symptoms in cats
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
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What to do
Contact a vet, especially if the bulb was eaten.
Toxic component and mechanism
The toxic component in Amaryllis is lycorine, concentrated in the bulb.
Part-specific risk: Bulb is far more concentrated in toxins than the flower.
What makes this plant different
Amaryllis bulbs are popular as a 'grow your own' holiday gift kit, which means the bulb — the most toxic part of the plant — is often sitting at nose height on a table during the exact weeks when a curious new puppy might be in the house.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Amaryllis spp.
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Also known as
- Amaryllis, Many, including: Belladonna lily, Saint Joseph lily, Cape Belladonna, Naked Lady
- Typically found
- both
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Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control