Is Fetterbush Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Lyonia spp.
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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | Yes |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | Yes |
| Toxic to horses | Yes |
| Toxic component | Grayanotoxins |
| Onset of symptoms | Within 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
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Abnormal heart rate
- Collapse
Symptoms in cats
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Abnormal heart rhythm
Symptoms in horses
- Colic
- Weakness
- Abnormal heart rhythm
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What to do
Treat as an emergency — grayanotoxins affect heart rhythm and can progress quickly even if the pet seems fine initially.
Toxic component and mechanism
The toxic component in Fetterbush is grayanotoxins.
What makes this plant different
A different genus (Lyonia) from the Leucothoe-based Fetter Bush but the same Ericaceae family and grayanotoxin mechanism — the near-identical common names for these related-but-distinct shrubs is a common source of identification confusion.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Lyonia spp.
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Also known as
- Fetterbush, Staggerberry, Maleberry
- Typically found
- outdoor
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Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control