Is Bird of Paradise Flower Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Strelitzia reginae
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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | Yes |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | Yes |
| Toxic to horses | Yes |
| Toxic component | Unidentified GI irritants, concentrated in the seeds |
| 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
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
Symptoms in cats
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
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What to do
Usually resolves with monitoring; seeds carry a somewhat higher concentration of irritants than the dramatic orange-and-blue flowers.
Toxic component and mechanism
The toxic component in Bird of Paradise Flower is unidentified gi irritants, concentrated in the seeds.
Part-specific risk: Seeds are more concentrated in toxins than flowers.
What makes this plant different
Bird of Paradise's dramatic orange-and-blue flower makes it one of the most visually striking plants on this list, but its actual documented toxicity is comparatively mild, concentrated mostly in the less-noticed seeds rather than the showy bloom.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Strelitzia reginae
- Family
- Strelitziaceae
- Also known as
- Bird of Paradise Flower, Crane Flower, Bird's Tongue Flower
- Typically found
- both
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Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control