Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Deadly

Is Western Water Hemlock Poisonous to Alpacas?

Western Water Hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) — 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 — Western water hemlock is highly poisonous. Small amounts can kill.

Keep alpacas completely away from this plant, including clippings and fallen leaves.

Western Water Hemlock (Cicuta douglasii)
Western Water Hemlock (Cicuta douglasii). Photo: Unknown author, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Deadly
Scientific name
Cicuta douglasii
Family
Apiaceae
Plant type
Wild plant
Toxic parts
Roots and lower stems especially
Toxic compound
Cicutoxin
Region
Western North America

Why it matters

The western North American counterpart of spotted water hemlock; grows in wet meadows and ditches.

Signs of Western water hemlock poisoning in alpacas

  • Frothing at the mouth
  • Muscle tremors
  • Violent seizures
  • Rapid death

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 Western water hemlock

  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

Cicuta douglasii, the western water hemlock, is a very poisonous perennial plant in the family Apiaceae.From Wikipedia — “Cicuta douglasii”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it grows

Main range of concern: Western North America. GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, holds 3,384 recorded observations of Cicuta douglasii (DC.) J.M.Coult. & Rose worldwide, including 2,606 in the United States. It belongs to the Apiaceae family, together with Poison Hemlock, Water Hemlock, Queen Anne's Lace. See the occurrence map on GBIF.

Frequently asked questions

Is Western water hemlock poisonous to alpacas?
Yes. Yes — Western water hemlock is highly poisonous. Small amounts can kill. The western North American counterpart of spotted water hemlock; grows in wet meadows and ditches.
What part of Western water hemlock is toxic to alpacas?
Roots and lower stems especially.
What are the symptoms of Western water hemlock poisoning?
Frothing at the mouth, muscle tremors, violent seizures and rapid death.
Is dried Western water hemlock 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 Q5119479.