Why it's dangerous
The alkaloids found in the plant affect the central nervous system, leading to either sedation or an excited, euphoric state depending on the species.
Toxic compound: Alkaloids
How vets treat it
We found no poppy-specific treatment guidance, so this comes from the Merck Veterinary Manual's advice on opioid drugs, which include the morphine and codeine in opium poppy. Care is mainly supportive, with close watching of breathing and breathing support if needed. For severe signs, vets can give naloxone, an antidote that reverses opioid effects; Merck lists a dose for cats. It may need repeating, often hourly, because it can wear off before the opioid does. Cats are more prone to excitement, which may be treated with sedatives such as diazepam or midazolam, unless breathing or circulation is already weak. A human urine drug test may help show opioid exposure.
Outlook
An older Pet Poison Helpline page rates poppy poisoning as generally mild to moderate in cats as well as dogs, depending on the amount eaten. The evidence for cats is thin: we found no published poppy cases in cats, so outcomes in cats are unknown. Very large amounts can cause coma, and severe opioid poisoning can be fatal because breathing slows, but naloxone can reverse severe signs.
Where pets are exposed
- Poppies of the genus Papaver, such as the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), the corn or field poppy (Papaver rhoeas, also called Flanders or red poppy) and the Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale).
- Every part of the plant is listed as poisonous: leaves, stems, flowers, roots, seed pods and the milky sap. Poppy species differ in their alkaloids (the plant's natural poisons), and some are more harmful than others, but sources don't say which.
- Gardens. In the one published dog case, two young dogs got sick after playing in a garden where opium poppies grew wild.
- California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a different plant. The Pet Poison Helpline poppy page covers only Papaver, the ASPCA plant list has no entry for any poppy, and we found no usable veterinary source on California poppy.
Prevention
- Keep pets from chewing poppies in the garden or in bouquets. Every part of the plant is listed as poisonous, including the seed pods and sap.
- Keep poppy seeds and foods made with them out of your pet's reach. No veterinary source gives a safe amount for pets.
- Save your vet's number and a pet poison line in your phone. In the US: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435.
Good to know
Ingestion of any part of the plant can be toxic; clinical signs vary between dogs and cats, particularly regarding pupil response.
Common questions
Are poppies poisonous to dogs?
Yes, though poisoning is generally mild to moderate. Pet Poison Helpline says eating any part of a poppy can upset a dog's stomach and affect its nervous system, causing poor appetite, sleepiness and wobbly walking, with coma only after very large amounts. The Merck Veterinary Manual's general note on opioid drugs says dogs often get excited first, then drowsy. NC State Extension rates Oriental poppy as low in toxicity. The evidence is thin: we found one published case report, of two dogs. If your dog ate poppy, call your vet or a pet poison line.
Are poppies poisonous to cats?
Yes. An older Pet Poison Helpline page lists poppies as poisonous to cats as well as dogs, generally mild to moderate depending on the amount. The signs it lists for cats include poor appetite, crying, staring into space, dilated pupils, sleepiness and wobbly walking. The Merck Veterinary Manual's general note on opioid drugs says cats may become excited rather than drowsy. We found no published poppy cases in cats, so call your vet or a pet poison line if your cat eats any.
My dog ate a poppy seed bagel or muffin. Is that dangerous?
Veterinary sources don't answer this: none covers poppy seeds in baked goods or gives a safe amount for pets. Pet Poison Helpline says how toxic poppy is depends on how much was eaten and the size of the animal. Call your vet or a pet poison line for advice.
How long does poppy poisoning last in dogs?
It varies, and there is little data. In the one published case report, two young dogs got sick after playing in a garden where opium poppies grew wild. One recovered within a day and the other took one to two weeks, with no medicine given. No source says how soon signs start.
What will the vet do for poppy poisoning?
We found no poppy-specific treatment guidance, so this is the Merck Veterinary Manual's general advice for opioid poisoning. Care is mainly supportive, with close watching of breathing. For severe signs, vets can give naloxone, an antidote that reverses opioid effects and may need repeating. Agitated pets may get sedatives.
Should I make my pet vomit after eating poppy?
No. Don't try to make your pet vomit, and don't give home remedies or antidotes, unless a vet or pet poison line tells you to. Call one of them instead.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Overview of Toxicoses in Animals From Human Recreational Drugs (section: Toxicoses From Opioids)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List
- Pet Poison Helpline — Poppy Is Toxic To Dogs
- Pet Poison Helpline (archived copy, Internet Archive snapshot of 2015-03-20) — Poppy - Pet Poison Helpline
- Pet Poison Helpline — Emergency instructions for pet poisoning
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Papaver orientale (Oriental Poppy)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Papaver rhoeas (Corn Poppy)
- Journal of the South African Veterinary Association (via PubMed, PMID 3795223) — Odendaal JS. Suspected opium poisoning in two young dogs (1986, English abstract)
- Pet Poison Helpline
This page is informational and is not veterinary advice. If your pet has been exposed to something risky, contact your vet or an animal poison control line right away.
