Skip to main content
(801) 218-2227

Tulips & Hyacinths

Pet toxin reference — educational information only.
Pet toxins

What to know

Tulips & Hyacinths — toxicity in dogs and cats

Call your vetApplies to: dogs and cats.

Overview

Tulips and hyacinths are toxic to dogs and cats. These popular spring bulbs contain allergenic lactones and similar alkaloids, with the highest concentration found in the bulb itself. Dogs are most commonly poisoned by digging up and chewing freshly planted bulbs in the fall or spring. Ingesting the flower or leaves causes milder symptoms, but eating the bulb can cause significant gastrointestinal distress and, in large amounts, cardiac and respiratory issues. Other common spring bulbs that are toxic include daffodils (narcissus), which are actually more dangerous than tulips due to the lycorine they contain.

Symptoms

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate

Typical onset

1-4 hours

What to do

Contact your vet. Bulbs are most toxic. Large ingestions need evaluation.

This page is educational and does not replace veterinary advice. If your pet may have been exposed, call UVEC at (801) 218-2227 or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.

Live tool

Search more substances

Toxic Substance Checker

Search common toxins and review immediate next steps. If your pet may have ingested something dangerous, call now.

53 results · 26 emergency-level

Tulips and hyacinths are toxic to dogs and cats. These popular spring bulbs contain allergenic lactones and similar alkaloids, with the highest concentration found in the bulb itself. Dogs are most commonly poisoned by digging up and chewing freshly planted bulbs in the fall or spring. Ingesting the flower or leaves causes milder symptoms, but eating the bulb can cause significant gastrointestinal distress and, in large amounts, cardiac and respiratory issues. Other common spring bulbs that are toxic include daffodils (narcissus), which are actually more dangerous than tulips due to the lycorine they contain.

Symptoms
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate
Onset
1-4 hours
Recommended next step
Contact your vet. Bulbs are most toxic. Large ingestions need evaluation.
This tool is informational only and does not replace veterinary advice. If ingestion may have happened, contact UVEC at (801) 218-2227 or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.