Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Toxic

Is Bloodroot Poisonous to Alpacas?

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) — a wild plant. Here is what alpaca owners need to know.

Updated 2026-10-02By the Dreamcatcher Alpacas editorial team
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Yes — bloodroot is toxic to alpacas.

Keep it out of pastures, hay and reach of fences, and never feed trimmings.

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). Photo: UpstateNYer, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Toxic
Scientific name
Sanguinaria canadensis
Family
Papaveraceae
Plant type
Wild plant
Toxic parts
Rhizome especially
Toxic compound
Sanguinarine and other alkaloids
Region
Eastern North America

Why it matters

Spring woodland wildflower.

Signs of bloodroot poisoning in alpacas

  • Drooling
  • Loss of appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Colic or abdominal discomfort

Signs can appear within minutes (cyanide, cardiac toxins) or only after weeks of exposure (liver toxins). Many poisoned camelids are simply found dead, so prevention is everything.

What to do if your alpaca ate bloodroot

  1. Move the herd away and remove any remaining plant material, clippings or fallen leaves.
  2. Call your veterinarian immediately, even if the alpaca looks normal. Say what was eaten, roughly how much and when.
  3. Bring a sample or clear photo of the plant to help identification.
  4. Do not give home remedies, oils or try to make the alpaca vomit unless your vet tells you to.
  5. Keep the animal quiet, in shade or shelter, with water available. Write down the time and every symptom you see.
  6. Check every other alpaca that had access, then remove the plant permanently (including roots).

Emergency: call your veterinarian immediately. If you cannot reach them, contact an animal poison control service (in the U.S., the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or Pet Poison Helpline; fees may apply). Bring a sample or photo of the plant.

About the plant

Sanguinaria canadensis, bloodroot, is a perennial, herbaceous flowering plant native to eastern North America. It is the only species in the genus Sanguinaria, included in the poppy family Papaveraceae, and is most closely related to Eomecon of eastern Asia.From Wikipedia — “Sanguinaria”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it grows

Main range of concern: Eastern North America. GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, holds 91,608 recorded observations of Sanguinaria canadensis L. worldwide, including 74,092 in the United States. It belongs to the Papaveraceae family, together with Dutchman's Breeches. See the occurrence map on GBIF.

Frequently asked questions

Is bloodroot poisonous to alpacas?
Yes. Yes — bloodroot is toxic to alpacas. Spring woodland wildflower.
What part of bloodroot is toxic to alpacas?
Rhizome especially.
What are the symptoms of bloodroot poisoning?
Drooling, loss of appetite, diarrhea and colic or abdominal discomfort.
Is dried bloodroot safe?
Drying does not reliably make poisonous plants safe. Treat dried leaves and contaminated hay with the same caution.

Keeping pastures safe

  • Walk every paddock and fence line each season and remove toxic plants, including roots.
  • Never throw garden, hedge or lawn clippings over the fence.
  • Check pastures after storms for fallen branches (cherry, red maple).
  • Buy hay from known sources and inspect it for weeds.
  • Keep pastures well managed — hungry alpacas eat plants they would normally avoid.

Browse the full toxic plant checker, the printable list of poisonous plants and the list of safe plants.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a veterinarian who has examined your animals. Camelid medicine uses many drugs “extra-label”, so dosing must come from your vet. In an emergency, call your vet first. Read our disclaimer · How we write and review content.

Data: plant status compiled from veterinary toxicology references (see sources); taxonomy and occurrences from GBIF; identifiers from Wikidata Q2724394.