Are Foxgloves Poisonous To Dogs?

If you are the proud owner of a dog and have a keen interest in gardening, you’ll naturally need to be mindful of the too. Poisonous plants, and the dangers they may present, are going to be part of those considerations. But what about Foxgloves? Are they a danger? Well, here is all you are going to need to know and consider.

So, are Foxgloves poisonous to dogs? Foxgloves are poisonous to dogs. If ingested, they can cause your dog to suffer from a plethora of symptoms, including stomach pains, vomiting, and diarrhea. In extreme cases or high doses, Foxglove ingestion can kill a dog.  

In fact, this is how the plant is described on poison.org: “All parts of the plant are poisonous, possibly even deadly, if swallowed.”

With this in mind, below, I’ve covered these symptoms in more detail, alongside several handy tips to help you keep your dog away from your Foxgloves (if you already have them) altogether. 

Will Dogs Eat Foxgloves?

Ordinarily, your dog won’t find Foxgloves enticing; thus, you can generally expect them to refrain from eating them. However, in certain contexts, they may attempt to eat them.

For the most part, you should be okay. However, there are a few exceptions.

For instance, your dog could be hungry and traipsing around the garden on a hunt for additional fuel. 

In lieu of alternative, more compelling plants, it may just compromise and head over to your Foxgloves.

They may not have the most appealing fragrance in the world, but there’s no denying their vibrant aesthetic.

In addition, the likes of boredom and even curiosity could lead your dog to your Foxgloves. 

What Would Happen To A Dog If They Ate Foxgloves?

If a dog eats Foxgloves, the repercussions are far from pretty. In fact, it can be extremely dangerous and even fatal. 

The most common symptoms that a dog may suffer from are stomach pains, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

However, the dog may well suffer from seizures, heart issues, and even death in more severe cases. 

If you spot any of these symptoms, it’s imperative that you move quickly and seek medical attention right away to increase the chances of a successful recovery. 

How To Keep Dogs Away From Your Foxgloves

Given the dangers of keeping Foxgloves around dogs, it’s not worth taking any chances. 

The best thing to do is to put measures in place that will prevent your dog from reaching, and thus munching, on your Foxglove plants. 

Fortunately, there are several potential safeguarding methods for you to consider.

Below, I’ve outlined those that are arguably the most effective of the bunch. 

Keep Your Pup Busy 

One way to keep your dog away from your Foxgloves is to keep it occupied. 

This means that when it heads out into the garden, you may want to go out with it for some one-on-one playtime or ensure that your garden is rife with fun activities – from balls to water pits and more. 

Keeping your dog mentally and physically stimulated should work in your favor. They’ll be so preoccupied that they won’t feel the need to bother your Foxgloves.

In fact, they will probably forget all about them. 

Unless they are hungry, of course – which leads me to my next point. 

Ensure Your Dog Is Well Fed 

A well-fed dog is a happy dog and one that won’t have a need to look for additional food. 

Essentially, if you feed your dog sufficient food, you’ll reduce the likelihood of them grazing around your garden seeking extra nutrients. 

So, if you suspect that your dog’s stomach has room for more, it may be a good idea to increase its existing portion sizes or even the number of feedings per day. 

Scent Deterrents

Many gardeners swear by the use of scent deterrents to keep plant predators at bay.

If your dog can’t seem to keep away from your Foxgloves, this is an approach that I highly recommend testing out. 

From most herbs to citrus and vinegar, there’s no shortage of smells that dogs dislike and will reliably stay away from. 

Thus, placing these scents in the vicinity of your Foxgloves will repel your dog from the area and keep your Foxgloves uneaten, happy, and healthy!

You could pick up a commercial dog repellent from your local garden store or quite easily whip up your own solution from the comfort of your very own home.

If you opt for the former, be sure to choose a non-toxic, environmentally friendly product. 

Prevent Access

One of the most obvious ways to stop your dog from heading to your Foxglove plant is to physically prevent its ability to do so. 

This could take the form of fencing your Foxgloves off from the rest of your garden, installing a strategically positioned gate, or placing chicken wire around their perimeter as a deterrent. 

You could even place mulch or gravel on the floor around your Foxgloves.

Both of these materials have a rough, uncomfortable texture that your dog won’t want to walk on. 

Your dog will surely stay away from your Foxgloves if it has no other choice but to. 

Other Suggestions When Keeping Foxgloves Around Dogs

Rethink Your Plant Choices

If you haven’t yet purchased the Foxgloves, it’s worth reconsidering your choice. 

There are a number of plants in existence that don’t pose any threat to dogs and are, subsequently, probably better choices than Foxgloves. 

If you want something similar to Foxgloves, it’s worth looking into Canterbury bells and snapdragons. 

Both of these plants offer a similar aesthetic to Foxgloves but at no risk to the canines that may consume them.

And if you already have a Foxglove plant in your garden, now might be a good time to contemplate rehoming it. 

Seek Immediate Medical Support 

Of course, the last thing that you want is for your Foxglove plant to poison your dog. 

But it can happen. 

If it does, you’ll want to seek medical attention immediately. 

Head to the vet at your earliest convenience to ensure that your dog is in well-qualified hands and in the best possible location for it to make a full recovery.