Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seeds? This Is What You Need To Know

They are so tiny, but can dogs eat poppy seeds? This is what you need to know about dogs and poppy seeds before they eat them.

They are a popular ingredient in all sorts of baked goods, but how safe are poppy seeds for dogs? Keep reading this guide to find out what you need to know before you share a slice of poppy seed pound cake with your pet.

For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating poppy seeds.

Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seeds

dog wondering about poppy seeds — Luke wondering about poppy seeds.

No, dogs should never eat poppy seeds. They are toxic for dogs. Different poppy plants have various levels of opiates in them so please keep them away from your pet.

Eating poppy seeds can cause poppy poisoning in dogs, which is very dangerous.

According to Wag, the symptoms of poppy poisoning include:

Inappetance
Pinpoint pupils
Trembling
Ataxia
Weakness
Depression
Sedation
Respiratory depression
Slowed heart rate
Coma
Death

If your dog shows any of those symptoms, please take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Are Poppies Poisonous To Dogs

Poppies are the red flowers that made Dorothy fall asleep in the Wizard of Oz. Yes, poppies are poisonous to dogs, do not let them eat the plants or the seeds.

The tough part is that the alkaloids found in poppies are different with each species of flower. Some species have alkaloids that will affect your dog’s central nervous system and brain.

When your dog eats any part of the plant, it can result in either sedation or an excited state of mind.

a bowl of poppy seeds next to dried poppy seed heads

Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seed Heads

No, do not let your dog eat poppy seed heads. These are very poisonous. This is the part of the plant that has all of the seeds contained in one place. This could lead to a high dose of toxicity. Please contact your veterinarian if you think your dog ate poppy seed heads.

Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seed Plants

No, do not allow your dog to eat poppy seed plants. These flowers might be beautiful, but they are extremely toxic for dogs.

There are a ton of different species, but all of them are toxic for dogs. If you have poppies in your yard, protect them with a fence so that it keeps your dog out of them.

Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seed Bread

There are lots of reasons to keep poppy seed bread away from your dog. Even though there might not be enough poppy seeds in one slice to really harm your dog, it could still give them an upset stomach.

Poppy seed breads tends to be sweeter and made with added sugars. Dogs should also stay away from carbs and sweeteners. These two things will lead to obesity and related health effects like diabetes and heart disease.

Can Dogs Have Poppy Seed Dressing

No, dogs should not eat poppy seed dressing. Even though there might not be enough poppy seeds in dressing to cause a toxic reaction, there are other ingredients in the dressing that are bad for your dog.

You should not let your dog eat any kind of salad dressings or sauces. They have too much sugar and carbs in them to be healthy for your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seed Muffins

No, dogs should not eat poppy seed muffins. One muffin might just give them an upset stomach, but eating too many of them could lead to a toxic reaction.

Even if they don’t have an immediate reaction to the muffins, it’s best to keep them away from baked goods because the sugar and carbs could increase their risk for obesity.

Can Dogs Eat Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Lemons and lemon flavors are safe for dogs to eat, but they should not eat lemon poppy seed muffins. Even though your dog might gobble them up like they are the best treat in the entire world, the poppy seeds might give them an upset stomach.

Can Dogs Eat Almond Poppy Seed Muffins

No, do not let your dog eat almond poppy seed muffins. This is especially important if your dog has nut allergies. Even if you don’t know if your dog is allergic to nuts, you should keep them away from inflammatory ingredients like these.

Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seed Pound Cake

Even though your dog probably wants to eat the entire poppy seed pound cake, do not let them have any. There might not be enough poppy seeds in the pound cake to cause a terrible reaction, but the carbs and sugar are terrible for their health.

Poppy Seeds and Dogs: What to do if They Eat It

If you discover that your dog ate something that has poppy seeds in it, watch for any signs or symptoms that their health is changing. If you notice symptoms like lethargy, staring off into space, or depression, take them to the veterinarian immediately.

Do not try to treat poppy seed poisoning at home. Call your veterinarian with any questions you have about poppy seeds and dogs.

Final Thoughts

Do everything you can to keep your dog away from poppy seeds. Keep them away from the plants and do not let them eat any kind of baked goods that have poppy seeds in them. These are toxic to dogs and you never know how your pup will react to them.

More Dog Food Resources

Here are some articles about other human foods and whether they are safe or toxic for your dog to eat.

Find even more articles on human food dogs can and can’t eat here on Spoiled Hounds!

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