Is Pheasant's Eye Poisonous? – Toxicity to Dogs, Cats, and Humans

Pheasant’s eye (Adonis vernalis and related species including Adonis aestivalis and Adonis annua) is toxic to dogs, cats, and humans. All parts of the plant contain cardiac glycosides, the same class of heart-disrupting compounds found in foxglove and oleander. While Adonis is less commonly encountered than those better-known toxic plants, the danger level is comparable. There is no safe amount to ingest.

What Makes Pheasant’s Eye Toxic?

The plant contains multiple cardiac glycosides, including adonidin and cymarin, along with adonitol. Cardiac glycosides interfere with the electrical signals that regulate heart rhythm. In sufficient quantities, they cause the heart to slow, beat irregularly, or stop. The entire plant is toxic from roots to seeds, with no part considered safe.

Adonis species were historically used in tiny, carefully measured doses as a cardiac medicine, similar to how digitalis from foxglove was once used. That historical use underscores the potency of these compounds, not their safety.

The plant is not currently listed by name on the ASPCA toxic plant database under this common name, but it is documented in veterinary toxicology literature as a source of cardiac glycosides toxic to companion animals.

Toxic Parts

All parts of the plant are toxic:

• Leaves and stems
• Flowers
• Seeds
• Roots

The plant remains toxic when dried.

Symptoms

Dogs and cats: Vomiting and diarrhea may appear first, followed by signs of cardiac involvement including slow or irregular heartbeat, weakness, lethargy, and collapse. Drooling and loss of appetite are also reported with cardiac glycoside ingestion. Severe cases can be fatal without treatment.

Humans and children: Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain following ingestion. Cardiac effects include slowed heart rate and irregular rhythm. The green feathery leaves and bright flowers of pheasant’s eye can attract curious children, particularly in gardens where the plant is grown as an ornamental.

What to Do

1. Remove any remaining plant material from the mouth immediately.
2. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by poison control or a veterinarian.
3. Call poison control at 1-800-222-1222 (US) or your vet immediately. Do not wait for cardiac symptoms to develop.
4. For pets, treat this as an emergency veterinary call. Time is a factor with cardiac glycoside poisoning.
5. Bring a photo or sample of the plant to help confirm identification.

Early intervention significantly improves outcomes for cardiac glycoside poisoning.

Safe Handling

Pheasant’s eye is grown as a garden ornamental in parts of Europe and North America, valued for its bright yellow flowers and ferny foliage. It appears in wildflower mixes and specialty nurseries, and it also grows wild in parts of central and southern Europe.

If you grow pheasant’s eye:

• Keep it away from areas where pets graze or children play unsupervised.
• Wear gloves when handling the plant and wash hands afterward.
• Do not compost or leave cuttings where pets can access them. The plant remains toxic when dried.
• If you are growing it in an area where pets roam freely, consider replacing it with a non-toxic flowering alternative.

Wildflower mixes sometimes include Adonis species. If you are in an area where the plant grows wild, be aware of it during walks with pets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pheasant’s eye the same as summer or autumn adonis? The genus Adonis contains several species, including Adonis vernalis (spring pheasant’s eye), Adonis aestivalis (summer pheasant’s eye), and Adonis annua (autumn pheasant’s eye). All are considered toxic. The toxicity profile is consistent across the genus.

How does pheasant’s eye compare to foxglove in toxicity? Both contain cardiac glycosides and carry serious toxicity risks. Foxglove is typically better known and more widely flagged, but pheasant’s eye should be treated with the same level of caution.

Can dried pheasant’s eye in a flower arrangement be a risk? Yes. Cardiac glycosides remain present in dried plant material. Dried arrangements containing Adonis should be kept out of reach of pets and young children.

My pet ate part of this plant but seems fine. Do I still need to call the vet? Yes. Symptoms of cardiac glycoside poisoning can be delayed. A pet that appears normal immediately after exposure may develop signs later. Call your vet without waiting for symptoms.