Are Morning Glory Flowers Poisonous to Dogs?

Morning glory flowers are lovely, but they can be a dangerous addition to any home that has dogs. Dogs that ingest morning glory flowers or its seeds may suffer serious adverse effects.

Morning glory flowers are members of the Convolvulaceae family and are most commonly found in warm areas. They grow on vines and produce funnel-shaped blooms that open only during morning hours.

Present in morning glory flowers are the alkaloids lysergic acid and chanoclavine, both of which are poisonous to dogs.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, dogs that ingest morning glory flowers may exhibit gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, loss of appetite and diarrhea. Other symptoms such as agitation, disorientation, ataxia and tremors may occur as well. Ingesting morning glory seeds is known to cause hallucinations in animals and humans.

If your dog ingests morning glory flowers, contact your veterinarian immediately. The ASPCA suggests taking a sample of the flower ingested by your dog with you to the veterinarian for proper plant identification. This will enable the veterinarian to form the correct treatment plan for your dog.