Is Desert Azalea Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Adenium obesum
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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | Yes |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | Yes |
| Toxic to horses | Yes |
| Toxic component | Cardiac glycosides |
| 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
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Weakness
- Collapse
Symptoms in cats
- Vomiting
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Weakness
- Collapse
Symptoms in horses
- Colic
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Sudden death
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What to do
Treat as a life-threatening emergency and get to a veterinarian immediately, even from a small amount.
Toxic component and mechanism
The toxic component in Desert Azalea is cardiac glycosides.
What makes this plant different
Despite 'Azalea' in its common name, Desert Azalea (Adenium obesum) is unrelated to true Rhododendron/Azalea species — it belongs to the Apocynaceae family alongside Oleander and shares that family's dangerous cardiac glycoside mechanism, not the grayanotoxins of true azaleas.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Adenium obesum
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Also known as
- Desert Azalea, Desert Rose, Mock Azalea, Sabi Star, Impala Lily, Kudu Lily
- Typically found
- both
Pet-safe alternatives
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Related plants
Bitter Root
Apocynum androsaemifolium
Confederate Jasmine
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Desert Rose
Adenium obesum
Dogbane Hemp
Apocynum spp.
Oleander
Nerium oleander
Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control