Risks
- All parts of the rhododendron, including its honey, leaves, petals, pollen, and stem, are toxic to dogs. The plant's toxic compounds can also contaminate the water in a vase.
- Rhododendron contains highly toxic grayanotoxins. Ingesting as little as 0.2% of your dog's body weight can result in poisoning.
- The toxins affect the heart and skeletal system, causing symptoms such as leg paralysis, slow heart rate, depression, and seizures.
- Signs of rhododendron poisoning typically appear within 6 hours and include vomiting and hypersalivation. Without treatment, the condition can be fatal within 1-2 days.
