Is White Snakeroot Safe for Pets?
Ageratina altissima
Find out if white snakeroot is safe for dogs and cats.
Think your pet ate something toxic?
Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 or view emergency guide
White Snakeroot
White snakeroot is a shade-loving woodland plant with clusters of small white flowers. It contains tremetol, a fat-soluble toxin historically known for causing milk sickness.
Pets that chew on the leaves can develop weakness, tremors, and gastrointestinal signs. Removing white snakeroot from shaded yards helps keep dogs and cats safe.
Is White Snakeroot Safe for Dogs?
Contains tremetol, which can cause weakness, tremors, and fatal milk sickness in grazing animals.
Is White Snakeroot Safe for Cats?
Ingestion can cause vomiting, weakness, and neurologic signs.
Symptoms to Watch For
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- weakness
- tremors
- difficulty standing
- depression
What If My Pet Ate White Snakeroot?
Seek veterinary care promptly, especially if tremors or weakness develop.
Safe Alternatives
Sources
- ASPCA
- Pet Poison Helpline
- MSD Veterinary Manual — Toxicology
- ASPCA — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List for Cats
- ASPCA — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List for Dogs
Vet's Note
PetPilot provides general information for educational purposes. While we reference authoritative veterinary organizations, this page has not been individually reviewed by a veterinarian for your specific pet. Individual animals may react differently based on age, weight, breed, health conditions, and amount consumed. Always consult your veterinarian or a poison control center for personalized advice, especially if your pet is ill, injured, pregnant, nursing, or on medication.