Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Foxglove (*Digitalis purpurea*), an elegant biennial herbaceous plant belonging to the plantain family (*Plantaginaceae*), is **highly lethal and exce...
Symptoms to Watch For
Immediate First Aid
Extremely dangerous! Ingestion of any part, especially leaves or seeds, is potentially fatal. Gently rinse your cat's mouth with cool water to remove residual plant matter without forcing swallowing, keep them quiet, and head to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.
Current risk level for cats based on ingestion severity.
Information provided by BioLens Veterinary Database. In case of emergency, always consult a professional.
In-Depth Botanical Safety Analysis
Foxglove (*Digitalis purpurea*), an elegant biennial herbaceous plant belonging to the plantain family (*Plantaginaceae*), is **highly lethal and exceptionally toxic** to both dogs and cats. While famous for its dramatic, tall spikes of tubular, bell-shaped purple flowers, the entire plant is saturated with extremely potent cardiac glycosides, primarily **digitoxin** and **digoxin**. These chemical compounds act as powerful cardiotoxins, inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in cardiac cells, which leads to immediate heart issues. Ingestion of even a minute amount of leaves, flowers, or seeds triggers severe poisoning. Symptoms include intense drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, profound weakness, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, severe bradycardia (slow heart rate), and sudden cardiac arrest. Immediate emergency veterinary intervention is absolutely vital, as early decontamination and supportive therapies like digoxin-specific antibody fragments (Digibind) or intravenous fluids can be life-saving. For a beautiful, pet-friendly garden, substitute Foxglove with non-toxic alternatives like Snapdragon or Sweet Alyssum. To inspect its tall spike anatomy and cellular characteristics, view our complete Botanical Profile for Foxglove.
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Specific Safety FAQs for Foxglove
Is Foxglove toxic to cats?
Yes, Foxglove is extremely lethal to cats. Ingestion of any portion of the plant—including flowers, leaves, seeds, or even the water in a vase holding the flowers—can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, and death.
Is Foxglove toxic to dogs?
Yes, Foxglove is highly toxic and potentially lethal to dogs. It contains cardiac glycosides (like digoxin) that interfere directly with heart function, leading to slow heart rate, weakness, collapse, and cardiac arrest.
What toxic compounds are present in Foxglove?
Foxglove contains powerful cardiac glycosides, primarily digitoxin and digoxin. These chemical agents affect the sodium-potassium ATPase system in cardiac cells, drastically altering heart rhythm and rate, which makes it extremely dangerous.
What is the emergency first aid if my pet eats Foxglove?
If you suspect your pet has eaten any part of a Foxglove plant, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Do not attempt to induce vomiting at home unless explicitly instructed by a professional. Keep the pet calm and quiet during transport, and bring a sample of the plant with you.