Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Toxic

Is Nandina Poisonous to Alpacas?

Nandina (Nandina domestica) — a shrub. Here is what alpaca owners need to know.

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

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

Nandina (Nandina domestica)
Nandina (Nandina domestica). Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Toxic
Scientific name
Nandina domestica
Family
Berberidaceae
Plant type
Shrub
Also known as
Heavenly bamboo, sacred bamboo, Heavenly Bamboo
Toxic parts
Leaves and berries
Toxic compound
Cyanogenic glycosides

Why it matters

Widely planted in the southern U.S.

Signs of nandina poisoning in alpacas

  • Rapid, labored breathing within minutes
  • Bright cherry-red gums and blood
  • Anxiety, trembling, staggering
  • Convulsions and collapse
  • Death within 15 minutes to a few hours

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 nandina

  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. Cyanide poisoning moves fast — your vet may have a specific antidote, so speed matters more than anything.
  4. Bring a sample or clear photo of the plant to help identification.
  5. Do not give home remedies, oils or try to make the alpaca vomit unless your vet tells you to.
  6. Keep the animal quiet, in shade or shelter, with water available. Write down the time and every symptom you see.
  7. 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.

Where it grows

GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, holds 39,642 recorded observations of Nandina domestica Thunb. worldwide, including 25,683 in the United States. It belongs to the Berberidaceae family, together with Mayapple. See the occurrence map on GBIF.

Frequently asked questions

Is nandina poisonous to alpacas?
Yes. Yes — nandina is toxic to alpacas. Widely planted in the southern U.S.
What part of nandina is toxic to alpacas?
Leaves and berries.
What are the symptoms of nandina poisoning?
Rapid, labored breathing within minutes, bright cherry-red gums and blood, anxiety, trembling, staggering, convulsions and collapse and death within 15 minutes to a few hours.
Is dried nandina 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 Q1153858.