Is American Mandrake Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Podophyllum peltatum
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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | Yes |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | Yes |
| Toxic to horses | Yes |
| Toxic component | Podophyllotoxin |
| Onset of symptoms | A few hours |
| Indoor / outdoor | outdoor |
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
- Severe vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
- Weakness
- Coma with large ingestion
Symptoms in cats
- Severe vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
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What to do
Contact a vet promptly — all parts are toxic except the ripe fruit, which is used in some foraged foods but should not be given to pets deliberately.
Toxic component and mechanism
The toxic component in American Mandrake is podophyllotoxin.
Part-specific risk: Ripe fruit is considered less toxic than the roots, leaves, and unripe fruit.
What makes this plant different
American Mandrake (Mayapple) is unrelated to the European Mandrake of folklore, but genuinely does contain podophyllotoxin, a compound potent enough to have real pharmaceutical uses in controlled doses — the ripe fruit is comparatively safe, but every other part of the plant carries real risk.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Podophyllum peltatum
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Also known as
- American Mandrake, Mayapple, Indian Apple Root, Umbrella Leaf, Wild Lemon, Hog Apple, Duck's Foot, Raccoonberry
- Typically found
- outdoor
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Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control