Ezina · A Field Manual for Plant Care · United States Vol. I · Ed. 2027 · Proof copy

§ Toxic plants · Iridaceae · Checked Oct 2026

Is blue iris toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Blue iris (Iris spuria) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Mild, level 1 of 4.

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Blue iris (Iris spuria)
Photo: (c) peganum, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), via iNaturalist

§ 010 · Signs

What to watch for

Signs include drooling, vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea. Signs can start within hours; some take a day or more to show.

§ 020 · If it happened

What to do if your pet ate it

Call your vet or a pet poison hotline straight away, even if your pet seems fine: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661. Both are open 24 hours and charge a fee. Have the plant or a photo of it to hand, and don’t make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.

§ 030 · Same family

Other Iridaceae plants toxic to pets

Blue iris belongs to the Iridaceae family. ASPCA lists these relatives too.

§ 040 · Questions

Questions about blue iris and pets

Is blue iris toxic to cats?

Yes. ASPCA lists blue iris as toxic to cats.

Is blue iris toxic to dogs?

Yes. ASPCA lists blue iris as toxic to dogs.

What happens if my pet eats blue iris?

Signs include drooling, vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea. Plant Smart rates it Mild, level 1 of 4.

What should I do if my pet ate it?

Call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away, even before signs appear: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Both charge a fee. Have the plant, or a photo of it, to hand.

What else is blue iris called?

Blue iris is also sold or known as turkish iris.

Changes

5 Oct 2026: page drafted.

Sources

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.

Plant Smart: Plant Smart: plants toxic to pets.

Photo: (c) peganum, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), via iNaturalist, source.

Checked Oct 2026.