Is lupine poisonous to dogs?

Updated 09/08/2023

There are many different types of lupines, including lupins and bluebonnets. These stunning spring plants can be found in vibrant shades of pink, purple, and soft white. Growing naturally in the wild (particularly in North America and Canada) and popular amongst those of us with green fingers, our furry friends are bound to come across them at some point. So with that in mind, is it a safe plant for your pooch to sniff, or is lupine poisonous to dogs? Let’s find out.

Are lupines poisonous to dogs?

So, if they’re a common find on walkies, can dogs eat lupines, or should you steer clear? Well, unfortunately, lupines are poisonous to dogs - containing the alkaloid lupinine and other enzyme inhibitors, these plants simply aren’t safe for ingestion. While death isn’t a common side effect, there have been many cases of lupine poisoning in grazing livestock like sheep, cattle, goats, and horses, though it can take these animals days of munching before signs of toxicity develop. Dogs are much less likely to accidentally eat this plant, but you should still discourage your pooch if you see them taking a keen interest in lupines.

Lupine poisoning in dogs

Lupine poisoning in dogs should be taken seriously, so if you think your pooch has ingested part of the plant, be sure to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for advice and a check-up. If you live in an area with lots of lupine flowering, it’s worth getting clued up on the symptoms of poisoning, along with the diagnosis and treatment you might expect from your vet. 

Symptoms 

Before waiting for symptoms to arise, you should contact your vet immediately if your pooch has ingested any part of a lupine plant. With a variety of species of lupine plants in existence, symptoms can vary, but here are the most commonly seen in poisoning cases:

• Loss of appetite
• Breathing difficulty
• Frothing at the mouth
• Nervousness
• Loss of coordination
• Lethargy
• Convulsions
• Muscle twitching
• Jaundice

Diagnosis

If you can, bring a sample of the plant your pooch ingested with you to your appointment with the veterinarian - this will help to speed up the process of diagnosis. In terms of the diagnosis itself, it’s likely your vet will perform a physical examination to assess your pup’s breathing and heart rate. They may also carry out a blood test and urinalysis to check for any organ damage.

Treatments

Unfortunately, there isn’t a known antidote for lupine poisoning, so most treatments will be supportive in nature. If your vet finds it necessary, vomiting may be induced to prevent further digestion of the plant and its toxins. Otherwise, symptoms may be treated with intravenous fluids and anti-seizure medications.

Meet our veterinary expert, Rebecca

This article has been checked by veterinarian Rebecca MacMillan, BVetMed MRCVS. Rebecca is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Since her graduation from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009 she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work and writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat coated retriever George!

Other plants that are poisonous to dogs

Unfortunately, many of the plants common for us to pass by during walkies are in fact poisonous to dogs (as well as those we decorate our homes with). So, get clued-up on the plants poisonous to dogs, starting with our list below.

• Wisteria
• Peace lilies
• Chrysanthemums
• Cyclamen