Is Laurel Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Kalmia latifolia
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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 Laurel is grayanotoxins.
What makes this plant different
'Laurel' is used as a common name across several unrelated genera with very different toxicity profiles — Mountain Laurel (Kalmia, grayanotoxins, severe) is a different danger entirely from culinary Bay Laurel (Laurus, mild essential oils) despite the shared name, so confirming the specific genus matters here more than for most plants.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Kalmia latifolia
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Also known as
- Laurel, Mountain laurel, Spoonwood, Mountain Ivy, Calico Bush
- Typically found
- outdoor
Pet-safe alternatives
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Related plants
Andromeda Japonica
Pieris japonica
Azalea
Rhododendron spp
Black Laurel
Leucothoe spp.
Bog Laurel
Kalmia poliifolia
Dog Hobble
Leucothoe sp.
Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control