Most herbal remedies are thought of as safe for dogs and cats. Yet, white snakeroot does not belong with these other plants. White snakeroot is a poisonous plant that is native to Europe, and there have been reported deaths in dogs and cats ingesting this plant. The toxin in white snakeroot is a cardiac glycoside, which can cause the dog or cat to vomit and in some cases the animal will have convulsions. Your pet can eat even minuscule amounts of this plant, and it is essential that you take this plant extremely seriously. If you believe your pet has ingested white snakeroot, please consult your veterinarian immediately.
What is White snakeroot?
White snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum) is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows throughout the eastern United States. It has many common names, including eupatorium, devil’s snakeroot, ginseng root, hard-hack, locust berry, snakeroot, sweet snakeroot, white arum, and white starwort.