Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM
Are tulips toxic to dogs? Yes, tulips are some of the many flower varieties found to be toxic to dogs. They have naturally occurring chemical compounds that can trigger unsavory adverse reactions in Fido when ingested or upon skin contact.
Know more about the dangers tulips pose to your canine friend and find out what can you do to keep him safe from these risks.
What Makes Tulips Poisonous to Dogs?
Tulip (Tulipa) is a bulbous herb belonging to the lily family. This plant produces poisonous antimicrobial chemicals called phytoalexins.
The most notable compounds making up this group of toxins are the alkaloids tulipalin A or tuliposide A and tulipalin B. They possess caustic and corrosive abilities, which can irritate the skin tissue upon contact.
These toxic compounds are responsible for the condition named “tulip fingers” in humans. It is a type of allergic contact dermatitis characterized by painful rashes, blister formation on the fingers, and dry and inflamed skin.
Furred dogs have coats that protect them from direct contact with the tulip’s poisonous compounds. However, chewing or biting the plant exposes their oral tissues, such as the lips, tongue, and throat, to the corrosive toxins.
What Parts of the Tulip Are Toxic to Dogs?
Tulipalin is present in all parts of the plant, including the berries, leaves, stems, roots, and flowers. Consuming them may induce mild toxicity in dogs. In large amounts, they can be life-threatening.
Be warned that tulip bulbs contain the highest concentrations of tulipalin. Ingesting this part of the plant, even in small amounts, can lead to a potentially fatal case of tulip poisoning.
What Are the Symptoms of Tulip Poisoning in Dogs?
If your dog eats any part of the tulip plant, closely monitor him for symptoms of toxicity like:
- Lethargy
- Hypersalivation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Stomach pains
Severe cases of tulip poisoning are often accompanied by the following clinical signs:
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid breathing
- Fast heart rate
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Tremors
Never ignore these clinical signs if your canine friend begins to exhibit them. The earlier you get him diagnosed and treated, the higher the chances of a good prognosis for his condition.
What to Do If Your Dog Ate a Tulip?
Finding out that your pooch ingested a toxic plant is understandably distressing. However, do not panic as it could prevent you from effectively dealing with this tricky situation.
Here are some steps you should take to ensure your furry pal’s safety:
1. Wash Areas of Your Dog’s Body Exposed to the Plant’s Toxins.
Use mild soap and water to remove these offending compounds from his coat. Apply saline solution to his eyes if they are exposed to the toxins.
If he has ingested the plant, rinse his mouth with clean water. Alternatively, you can wipe a sterile damp towel in his mouth.
2. Contact a Pet Poison Control Agency.
For a fee, organizations like the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and Pet Poison Helpline can walk you through the steps of pet first aid. The procedure will depend on the type of toxin causing your dog harm.
Do not induce vomiting at home unless advised by a veterinary professional. Certain types of toxins can cause serious damage to your pet’s body if vomited back up.
3. Note Down the Important Details of the Accident.
The following information will help the veterinarian choose the most appropriate treatment option for your dog:
- Type of poisonous plant ingested
- Parts of the plant consumed
- Length of exposure to the plant’s toxin
- Emerging symptoms of poisoning
- Previous medical conditions of your dog if there are any
4. Collect Plant Samples.
Identifying the type of plant your pet has consumed is essential in confirming the root cause of his symptoms.
Thus, take a photo of the plant and collect fresh samples of its parts if possible. Place the samples in a ziplock bag or paper bag.
How Is Tulip Poisoning in Dogs Treated?
Tulip poisoning in dogs has no antidote at the moment. The main goal of the treatment is to manage symptoms of poisoning and support the recovery of affected canines.
Here are the treatment options for tulip toxicity in dogs:
Emesis
If the plant was ingested recently, the veterinarian will induce vomiting to get rid of the plant material that is not yet digested in a dog’s digestive tract. It prevents further absorption of toxins into his body.
Gastric Lavage
If emesis is deemed ineffective, the veterinarian may need to anesthetize the dog to conduct gastric lavage. It involves pumping the canine’s stomach with fluid to flush out toxins.
Activated Charcoal
Much like emesis, administration of activated charcoal is done if it has not been long since the dog has consumed a tulip. Activated charcoal binds to the toxins to keep them from getting absorbed into his system.
IV Fluids
Toxicity symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea may result in dehydration due to water and electrolyte loss.
To combat this problem, the dog will be given IV fluids and electrolytes. The former also helps in removing toxins from the liver and kidneys.
Oxygen Therapy
Severe cases of tulip poisoning in dogs cause breathing difficulties. Thus, pooches with this type of symptom will be placed on oxygen for a few hours.
Ingestion of tulip bulbs puts dogs at risk of intestinal obstruction aside from poisoning. Prompt surgical removal is necessary to prevent life-threatening health complications from occurring.
Tulip poisoning in dogs is often a mild condition. Affected canines are quick to recover once provided with proper supportive care.
However, dogs suffering from severe poisoning have a poorer prognosis, especially if they begin to display signs of shock and other serious symptoms.
Read: Are Hibiscus Poisonous to Dogs
How to Prevent Tulip Toxicity in Dogs?
The best way to keep your pet safe from tulip poisoning is to prevent him from gaining access to the colorful yet toxic plant. Here are a few simple ways to do this:
1. Keep Your Garden Securely Fenced.
Do this specifically in areas where toxic plants to pets are grown. Make sure that the blockage is high enough to keep your canine companion out.
If he is a tenacious digger, consider installing a digging barrier such as large rocks, chicken wire, or chain link fence along the bottom of the fence line.
2. Cordon Planted Tulip Bulbs.
Tulip poisoning in dogs is commonly caused by easy access to planted bulbs—pooches end up digging them.
With this in mind, plant bulbs in wire cages or cover them with a sturdy barrier, such as a chicken wire or hardware cloth. You can also place sharp pieces of gravel on top of the bulbs.
These deterrents keep away other burrowing animals like squirrels, voles, mice, and chipmunks. These prevent them from digging out the bulbs from where they were planted.
3. Do Not Use Meal-Based Fertilizers.
Meal-based fertilizers are commonly made up of feathers, bone, or blood meal. They emit a scent enticing to canines. Using them in your garden encourages your pooch to dig up the planted bulbs.
Moreover, ingestion of meal-based fertilizer in large amounts can cause digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis, and bowel obstruction.
4. Store Tulip Flowers and Bulbs Properly.
If you bring tulip bulbs or cut tulip flowers indoors, be sure to keep them away from your dog’s reach.
For bulbs, place them in a secure storage container like a vacuum-sealed container. Then store them in an elevated area; for instance, a high cabinet with a lock.
For cut tulip flowers, consider putting them in wall-mounted or hanging vases.
5. Closely Supervise Your Dog During Outdoor Walks.
Familiarize yourself with the plants growing in areas where you often go for outdoor strolls with your pooch. Avoid places where there are plenty of toxic plants.
Keep your pet on a short leash during seasons when poisonous plants are in full bloom. Never let him off the leash in an unfamiliar area where he might come across a toxic plant.
Have treats with you to use as a distraction in case your dog decides to investigate a dangerous-looking plant.
6. Teach Your Dog Safety Commands.
“Leave it” and “drop it” are life-saving commands that will help keep your dog safe during outdoor excursions. Consistent training and reinforcement must be done to ensure that he becomes adept at carrying out these commands.
Never let your guard down. Always have the contact number of your trusted local veterinarian and an emergency pet clinic with you in case your dog exhibits symptoms of tulip poisoning.
FAQs About Tulip Poisoning in Dogs
1. How Toxic Are Tulips to Dogs?
Compared to other poisonous plants, tulips are considered mildly toxic to dogs. However, ingestion of the plant in large amounts or consuming its bulb may induce severe poisoning.
2. Why Are Tulips Toxic to Dogs?
Tulips are toxic to dogs due to the corrosive and caustic toxins they produce known as tulipalin A and tulipalin B.
Coming into contact with these chemicals causes skin irritation, rashes, and blisters. Ingesting the plant, on the other hand, triggers a different set of symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pains.
Severe cases of tulip poisoning in dogs bring about breathing difficulties and cardiac problems.
3. What Happens If a Dog Eats a Small Piece of Tulip Stem?
Eating a small piece of tulip stem is less likely to cause poisoning in a large dog compared to a small pooch.
The biggest risk to watch out for, however, is stomach obstruction, which can be fatal if overlooked. Thus, you might want to get your canine friend checked by a veterinarian if he has ingested a small piece of tulip stem.
4. How Long Does Tulip Poisoning Last in Dogs?
Mild cases of tulip poisoning in dogs only last for a few hours. However, if the poisoning is severe, the veterinarian may recommend hospitalizing affected canines for a few days until their condition stabilizes.
Conclusion
Are tulips poisonous to dogs? Tulips do pose a toxic risk to canines due to the presence of tulipalin A and tulipalin B in all of their parts.
The plant’s bulbs are particularly extremely dangerous since they contain the highest concentrations of these toxins. Tulip poisoning in dogs can be reversed through supportive treatment.
Keep your pooch safe from this type of danger by carrying out preventive measures, such as securely cordoning areas planted with tulips, avoiding the use of meal-based fertilizers, and teaching him commands like “leave it” and “drop it.”
Find out other toxic plants you should beware of during springtime as a dog owner.
