Is Periwinkle Toxic to Dogs and Cats? (2026)
Vinca rosea
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Quick facts
| Toxic to dogs | Yes |
|---|---|
| Toxic to cats | Yes |
| Toxic to horses | Yes |
| Toxic component | Vinca alkaloids |
| 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
- Tremors
- Low blood pressure with large ingestion
Symptoms in cats
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
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What to do
Contact a vet — vinca alkaloids are potent enough to be used in human chemotherapy drugs, so this ordinary-looking groundcover carries more real risk than its mild-mannered appearance suggests.
Toxic component and mechanism
The toxic component in Periwinkle is vinca alkaloids.
What makes this plant different
Periwinkle's vinca alkaloids are potent enough that pharmaceutical versions are used in human chemotherapy — the same chemical family that fights cancer in controlled medical doses is genuinely dangerous to a pet that eats the plant directly.
Plant identification
- Scientific name
- Vinca rosea
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Also known as
- Periwinkle, Running Myrtle, Vinca
- Typically found
- outdoor
Pet-safe alternatives
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Last verified: July 2, 2026 · Cross-referenced with ASPCA Animal Poison Control