Is Gladiola Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Gladiolus species
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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | Yes |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | Yes |
| Toxic to horses | Yes |
| Toxic component | Unidentified irritants, concentrated in the corm (bulb-like underground stem) |
| 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
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
- Lethargy
Symptoms in cats
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
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What to do
Contact a vet if the corm was dug up and eaten — it carries a meaningfully higher concentration of irritants than the flower stalk.
Toxic component and mechanism
The toxic component in Gladiola is unidentified irritants, concentrated in the corm (bulb-like underground stem).
Part-specific risk: The corm is more concentrated in toxins than the flowers.
What makes this plant different
Gladiola's tall flower spikes are a florist favorite, but the corm — the bulb-like structure below ground — carries meaningfully more toxic concentration than the parts of the plant most people interact with above soil.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Gladiolus species
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Also known as
- Gladiola, Many cultivars
- Typically found
- outdoor
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Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control