Dogs are known for eating almost anything within their reach, including things they shouldn’t! The sago palm is a short plant that takes several years to grow up to 3 feet. That makes it easy for dogs to reach and nibble on. If your dog eats the sago palm in your home or outdoor, you may wonder whether you should be worried.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the sago palm is one of the most toxic plants for dogs. While eating any part of the plant will harm dogs, eating the seeds will cause severe damage. The plant contains cycasin – a compound that causes liver failure when ingested.
The first signs of sago palm poisoning in dogs include drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. Usually, these symptoms may start manifesting between 15 minutes to 12 hours after a dog ingests the plant. The symptoms may progress to seizures, twitching, and liver failure.
If you see your dog eating sago palm, you need to stop them immediately to limit the amount they’ve consumed. Since symptoms may take several minutes or hours to manifest, you should contact your veterinarian immediately, even if your dog seems okay. That would give them a better chance at survival if they consumed much.