Poppies are beautiful plants that grow throughout the world.
These plants have many different names, depending on where they are grown.
They are most commonly known as blue poppies and white poppies.
However, they also go by several other names, including corn poppy, Indian hemp, mountain bluet, rock cress, and wild geranium. Regardless of their name or location, these beautiful flowers all share the same properties and uses.
The scientific name for the poppy plant is Papaver somniferum.
In addition to being a source of beautiful blue or white flowers, the poppy plant is also used for medicinal purposes.
Since ancient times people have used poppy seeds to relieve pain and help with sleep problems. The main active ingredient in poppies is an alkaloid called codeine that is found within sap from the opium poppy plant.
Poppies are poisonous to dogs if ingested in large quantities;
however, tiny amounts may not cause any issues at all.
Dogs who accidentally consume poppies may experience vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of appetite after eating them.
Here we take a look at whether poppies are poisonous to dogs and how much you should feed your dog if he ingests some of this plant:
How poisonous are poppies?
Poppies are not poisonous to dogs but should be eaten cautiously.
Poppies are considered toxic to pets in large quantities, as they contain a substance called codeine that is highly poisonous.
If your dog overeats the plant, he may vomit and experience diarrhea or lack appetite. A small amount of poppy seeds does not pose any kind of threat to your pet’s health.
However, it is still important to follow product instructions closely when using them for medicinal purposes.
Can dogs eat poppies?
Poppies are not poisonous to dogs, but it is best to keep them away from this plant. If a dog accidentally eats some of the plant, which is known as a toxicant, it may experience vomiting or diarrhea if the amount ingested is too high.
Your dog can consume small amounts of poppy flowers without any issues. In fact, in 2001 an American study found that dogs were able to eat poppy flowers without any problems. This means that you should only be worried if your dog ingests a large quantity of the plant.
Are all poppy flowers poisonous?
All poppy flowers are poisonous.
They contain a toxic substance called codeine that is found within sap from the opium poppy plant.
However, it’s very unlikely for your dog to eat enough of these flowers to cause any harm.
There are three main types of poppies: white, blue, and red.
The red poppy is not as toxic as the other two varieties because it has a lower concentration of codeine in its sap. This variety may even have anti-toxic properties that can help with diarrhea or vomiting if ingested by your dog.
The white and blue varieties contain higher concentrations of codeine and should be kept away from dogs. If your dog accidentally eats some of this flower, it will vomit as soon as they begin to digest it.
How long before a dog show sign of poppy poisoning?
If your dog eats a small number of poppies, there is a chance that he might show signs of poppy poisoning after just a few hours.
If your dog eats 10-20 grams of the plant and vomits within 15 minutes or experiences diarrhea in that time, then it is likely that he has been poisoned by poppies.
Dogs might also experience some other symptoms such as seizures, convulsions, and even coma if they have ingested more than 200 grams of the plant.
However, if your dog ingests between 1 to 5 grams of the plant and vomits within 30 minutes, then there is no reason for concern.
Conclusion
Poppies are poisonous to dogs if ingested in large quantities; however, tiny amounts may not cause any issues at all.
Dogs who accidentally consume poppies may experience vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of appetite after eating them. It is still important to follow product instructions closely when using them for medicinal purposes.
