Is Peyote poisonous to dogs or cats?

Peyote

  • Scientific Name: Lophophora williamsii
  • Also Known As: Peyote, mescal, mescal button
  • Is It Toxic? Yes
  • Toxins: Mescaline; all parts toxic
  • Symptoms: Mydriasis, vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, hallucinations
  • Toxic Parts:
  • General:

Peyote is a plant that is deadly to dogs or cats. The toxin in this plant is mesclaline, which is the hallucinogenic ingredient in peyote. The effect of this poison is similar to that of LSD, with the exception that it is far more powerful. It can trigger hallucinations and induce mydriasis (irradiation of the pupils of the eyes). It is commonly known as peyote, but you may also hear it referred to by other names, such as chufa, mescal, and mescaline or lophophora.

What is Peyote?

Peyote is a cactus that is native to North America and the Andes of South America. The plant has a flat or slightly cylindrical stem of 1-2 m (3.3-6.6 ft) long, and bears white, kidney-shaped, fleshy pads at the ends of the stems. The small tubers, known as pericoites, which are about 2 cm (0.8 in) long, contain a white powder made of the alkaloid mescaline, which is responsible for the effects of peyote.