🚨 If symptoms are present — go to emergency vet NOW. ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 (24/7)
Amaryllis Plant Toxicity in Dogs
The Amaryllis (Hippeastrum species and Amaryllis belladonna), a popular holiday and garden plant, contains lycorine and related alkaloids throughout the plant — with the highest concentration in the bulb. These alkaloids cause significant gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and neurological toxicity. Dogs that chew on bulbs, stems, or leaves are at risk, but bulb ingestion is the most serious scenario.
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⚡ Immediate Actions
- 1Call ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or your vet immediately.
- 2Identify what part of the plant was eaten — was it a bulb, stem, leaf, or flower?
- 3Do not induce vomiting without veterinary guidance.
- 4Go to the emergency vet if severe vomiting, weakness, or difficulty breathing occurs.
Symptoms & Timeline
GI phase (30 minutes – 3 hours)
- Vomiting (often severe)
- Diarrhea (may be bloody)
- Excessive drooling
- Abdominal pain and cramping
Systemic phase (3–12 hours)
- Low blood pressure and weakness
- Tremors
- Respiratory depression (slow, shallow breathing)
- Lethargy progressing to sedation
- Seizures (severe cases)
How Amaryllis (Hippeastrum / Amaryllis belladonna) Affects Dogs
Lycorine, the primary alkaloid in amaryllis, inhibits protein synthesis and has direct emetic, cardiovascular, and neurotoxic effects. It acts as a respiratory depressant and can lower blood pressure by depressing myocardial contractility. Secondary alkaloids (pancratistatin, narciclasine) have cytotoxic properties. The outer scales of the bulb also contain raphide calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate oral irritation and mucosal injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is amaryllis the same as other lilies?
No — true lily toxicity (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) is primarily a kidney toxin. Amaryllis contains alkaloids with a different mechanism. Both are serious, but they require different clinical treatment. See the lily-toxic page for true lily poisoning.
Are paperwhites (Narcissus) similarly toxic?
Yes. Paperwhites, daffodils, jonquils, and narcissus are all in the Amaryllidaceae family and contain lycorine. See the tulips-daffodils entry for more information on daffodil and narcissus toxicity.
My dog chewed an amaryllis leaf (not the bulb) — is this serious?
Leaves contain lower toxin concentrations than the bulb. Mild vomiting and drooling are the most likely outcomes. However, call ASPCA Poison Control or your vet to assess based on the amount ingested and your dog's size.
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