About Ragwort toxicity
Ragwort (Senecio species) is marked as potentially toxic to cats, dogs, horses in the Plants4Pets database. Keep this plant out of reach of curious pets and read the species-specific notes below.
Photos of Ragwort (Senecio species)
Is Ragwort toxic to cats, dogs or horses?
-
Cat Toxic Not verified
The plant is not very palatable, but will be eaten by animals with no other forage; poisonings typically occur from ingestion of green plant material or material in hay. The toxic components can cause liver failure, referred to as "walking disease" or "sleepy staggers". Signs include weight loss, weakness, sleepiness, yawning, incoordination, yellowish discoloration to mucous membranes (icterus), neurologic problems secondary to liver failure (aimless walking, chewing motions, head pressing). Animals may appear to be normal at first, then become suddenly affected; the syndrome progresses rapidly over a few days to a week. Liver damage, depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, muddy mucous membranes, weakness, ataxia. Toxic principles: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
-
Dog Toxic Not verified
The plant is not very palatable, but will be eaten by animals with no other forage; poisonings typically occur from ingestion of green plant material or material in hay. The toxic components can cause liver failure, referred to as "walking disease" or "sleepy staggers". Signs include weight loss, weakness, sleepiness, yawning, incoordination, yellowish discoloration to mucous membranes (icterus), neurologic problems secondary to liver failure (aimless walking, chewing motions, head pressing). Animals may appear to be normal at first, then become suddenly affected; the syndrome progresses rapidly over a few days to a week. Liver damage, depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, muddy mucous membranes, weakness, ataxia. Toxic principles: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
-
Horse Toxic Not verified
The plant is not very palatable, but will be eaten by animals with no other forage; poisonings typically occur from ingestion of green plant material or material in hay. The toxic components can cause liver failure, referred to as "walking disease" or "sleepy staggers". Signs include weight loss, weakness, sleepiness, yawning, incoordination, yellowish discoloration to mucous membranes (icterus), neurologic problems secondary to liver failure (aimless walking, chewing motions, head pressing). Animals may appear to be normal at first, then become suddenly affected; the syndrome progresses rapidly over a few days to a week. Liver damage, depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, muddy mucous membranes, weakness, ataxia. Toxic principles: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Community confirmations show that other users find this rating helpful. They are not verified by our team.
Ragwort plant details and common names
Family: Compositae
Also known as: Golden Ragwort, Tansy
Safety advice if a pet eats Ragwort
Many popular houseplants and garden species can cause vomiting, drooling, skin irritation or more serious symptoms when chewed by cats, dogs or horses. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not replace a veterinary consultation.
If your pet has eaten any part of Ragwort (Senecio species), note the amount ingested, watch for unusual behaviour and contact a veterinarian or pet poison helpline immediately.
Found outdated or incorrect data? Use the report form below or e-mail kontakt@plants4pets.pl with the plant name, species affected and your source — we review every submission.
FAQ: Ragwort and pet toxicity
- Is Ragwort toxic to cats?
- Yes. According to Plants4Pets, Ragwort is toxic to cats. The plant is not very palatable, but will be eaten by animals with no other forage; poisonings typically occur from ingestion of green plant material or material in hay. The toxic components can cause liver failure, referred to as "walking disease" or "sleepy staggers". Signs include weight loss, weakness, sleepiness, yawning, incoordination, yellowish discoloration to mucous membranes (icterus), neurologic problems secondary to liver failure (aimless walking, chewing motions, head pressing). Animals may appear to be normal at first, then become suddenly affected; the syndrome progresses rapidly over a few days to a week. Liver damage, depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, muddy mucous membranes, weakness, ataxia. Toxic principles: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids This entry has not been manually verified yet — treat it as guidance only.
- Is Ragwort toxic to dogs?
- Yes. According to Plants4Pets, Ragwort is toxic to dogs. The plant is not very palatable, but will be eaten by animals with no other forage; poisonings typically occur from ingestion of green plant material or material in hay. The toxic components can cause liver failure, referred to as "walking disease" or "sleepy staggers". Signs include weight loss, weakness, sleepiness, yawning, incoordination, yellowish discoloration to mucous membranes (icterus), neurologic problems secondary to liver failure (aimless walking, chewing motions, head pressing). Animals may appear to be normal at first, then become suddenly affected; the syndrome progresses rapidly over a few days to a week. Liver damage, depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, muddy mucous membranes, weakness, ataxia. Toxic principles: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids This entry has not been manually verified yet — treat it as guidance only.
- Is Ragwort toxic to horses?
- Yes. According to Plants4Pets, Ragwort is toxic to horses. The plant is not very palatable, but will be eaten by animals with no other forage; poisonings typically occur from ingestion of green plant material or material in hay. The toxic components can cause liver failure, referred to as "walking disease" or "sleepy staggers". Signs include weight loss, weakness, sleepiness, yawning, incoordination, yellowish discoloration to mucous membranes (icterus), neurologic problems secondary to liver failure (aimless walking, chewing motions, head pressing). Animals may appear to be normal at first, then become suddenly affected; the syndrome progresses rapidly over a few days to a week. Liver damage, depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, muddy mucous membranes, weakness, ataxia. Toxic principles: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids This entry has not been manually verified yet — treat it as guidance only.
- Which pets are most at risk from Ragwort?
- Our database flags Ragwort as toxic to: cats, dogs, horses.
- What should I do if my pet eats Ragwort?
- Remove remaining plant material, do not induce vomiting unless a vet instructs you to, and seek professional help immediately with the plant name ready.
Report an error or missing data
Help us keep this page accurate. You can report wrong toxicity ratings, missing plants, outdated photos or spelling mistakes.
- Wrong toxicity for a cat, dog or horse
- Missing or incorrect plant name
- Better photo or source link
- Additional veterinary or botanical reference
Include the plant name (Senecio species), affected pet species and, if possible, a link to your source. We usually respond within a few business days.