Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Toxic

Is Dogbane Poisonous to Alpacas?

Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) — 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 — dogbane is toxic to alpacas.

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

Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum)
Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum). Photo: SB Johnny, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Toxic
Scientific name
Apocynum cannabinum
Family
Apocynaceae
Plant type
Wild plant
Also known as
Indian hemp, Indianhemp, Indian-hemp, hemp dogbane, common dogbane, clasping-leaved dogbane
Toxic parts
Leaves and stems, fresh or in hay
Toxic compound
Cardiac glycosides

Why it matters

Often confused with milkweed; grows in hayfields and fence rows.

Signs of dogbane poisoning in alpacas

  • Sudden death (often the first sign)
  • Slow, irregular or very fast heartbeat
  • Weakness, trembling, collapse
  • Diarrhea and colic
  • Cold extremities

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 dogbane

  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

Apocynum cannabinum is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows throughout much of North America—in the southern half of Canada and throughout the United States. It is poisonous to humans, dogs, cats, and horses. All parts of the plant contain toxic cardiac glycosides that can cause potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias if ingested. Some Lepidoptera can withstand the toxins and feed on this plant.From Wikipedia — “Apocynum cannabinum”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it grows

GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, holds 59,241 recorded observations of Apocynum cannabinum L. worldwide, including 51,224 in the United States. It belongs to the Apocynaceae family, together with Oleander, Yellow Oleander, Milkweed. See the occurrence map on GBIF.

Frequently asked questions

Is dogbane poisonous to alpacas?
Yes. Yes — dogbane is toxic to alpacas. Often confused with milkweed; grows in hayfields and fence rows.
What part of dogbane is toxic to alpacas?
Leaves and stems, fresh or in hay.
What are the symptoms of dogbane poisoning?
Sudden death (often the first sign), slow, irregular or very fast heartbeat, weakness, trembling, collapse, diarrhea and colic and cold extremities.
Is dried dogbane safe?
No — the toxin in this plant remains active when dried, so contaminated hay and dried clippings are still dangerous.

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 Q2598218.