Is Daffodil Toxic to Dogs?
Also known as: Narcissus, Jonquil, Paper White, Lent Lily · Narcissus pseudonarcissus
What makes it toxic
Lycorine and related phenanthridine alkaloids present in all parts of the plant. They cause forceful vomiting, gastrointestinal inflammation and, at higher doses, blood-pressure drop, cardiac arrhythmia and seizures.
Warning signs to watch for
Profuse vomiting, drooling and diarrhea within minutes to hours, sometimes with abdominal pain, wobbly gait, tremors, bradycardia and breathing difficulty when bulbs are eaten.
What to do if your dog eats it
Stop access, take away any remaining plant or bulb material and call your vet immediately. Bulb ingestion is an emergency — early decontamination and IV support prevent most serious outcomes.
Common questions
Why are the bulbs so much worse than the flowers?
The bulb stores lycorine and related alkaloids at their highest levels as the plant’s defense organ. A dog that eats one bulb can get far sicker than one that nibbles a flower.
Can a dog die from eating daffodil bulbs?
Deaths are uncommon but documented with bulb ingestion, mainly from severe vomiting, dehydration, arrhythmias and seizures. Prompt veterinary care makes fatal outcomes rare.
Is daffodil pollen or vase water a risk?
Mildly, yes. Cut daffodils shed lycorine into vase water, and dogs that drink it can vomit. Keep bouquets out of reach and change the water out of the dog’s reach.
More plants checked for dogs
This page is general educational information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every pet is different — if your animal ate something concerning, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. Checking what your pet can eat? Visit our sister site SafeOrToxic.