Is Oleander Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Nerium oleander
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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. Cardiac monitoring and rapid decontamination significantly improve survival; delay is the leading cause of fatal outcomes.
Toxic component and mechanism
The toxic component in Oleander is cardiac glycosides.
What makes this plant different
Every part of the oleander plant, including dried leaves and the smoke from burning trimmings, contains cardiac glycosides potent enough to be fatal to a horse or large dog from a small amount. This is one of the few plants where 'call your vet in the morning' is the wrong answer — the correct action is always immediate emergency care.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Nerium oleander
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Also known as
- Oleander, Rose-Bay
- Typically found
- both
Pet-safe alternatives
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Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control