Is Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa) poisonous to dogs?
—Doris Dear Doris, Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa) contains substances known as alkaloids, which can cause tremors, loss of coordination, drooling, and in severe cases respiratory distress, seizures and possibly even death. Poisonings from this plant typically involve livestock who have grazed on large amounts. However, the potential for toxicity exists for other animal species as well, so cats and dogs should not be allowed to consume this plant. For information on non-toxic plants suitable for planting in your yard, check out our online plant database.
