“Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore!”
It’s unlikely that you will take your dog, like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, to a poppy field and just let them roam around.
However, you might have got a delicious poppy seeds muffin for yourself and wondered — can dogs eat poppy seeds muffins, too?
Just follow the path ahead, and let’s find out.
Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seeds?
No, dogs should never eat them because eating poppy seeds can cause serious health problems.
Eating poppy seeds can cause opioid poisoning.
While you might like them in your morning bagel or muffin, don’t let these seeds from the opium plant make it onto your dog’s menu. Yes, dogs want to eat the same things we do, but a little noshing can lead to a life-threatening situation.
Are Poppy Seeds Poisonous to Dogs?
Yes, poppy seeds are harmful to dogs, and in some cases, can kill them.
The common cooking ingredient is derived from the seed pod of the opium poppy plant, which people may harvest for its pain-relieving qualities. But it could spell trouble when a dog eats these seeds or even a small amount of the pods themselves.
Both poppy plants and seeds are known to be poisonous.
The opium poppy plant comes from the genus Papaver, and there are two species: Papaver somniferum and Papaver bracteatum. The seeds come from a pod on the flower of this plant, which can grow even up to 20 feet in height.
The most recognizable species is the red one, but there are many different species, and all of them contain alkaloids. The alkaloids can cause sedation or excitement in dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seed Heads?
No. Eating poppy heads can make dogs sick and possibly even lead to death.
Poppy seed head has all the seeds, so it is very concentrated and bad for dogs.
Eating poppy heads can lead to a high dose of toxicity in dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seed Plants?
No, poppy seed plants are highly poisonous to dogs.
While there are many different species of poppy, they are all harmful when ingested by dogs.
Poppy seeds and plants can cause symptoms of opioid toxicity: seizures, coma, and even death in dogs.
The entire poppy plant is dangerous for your dog. Like any other fruit or vegetable that’s not part of a healthy diet, if they eat it once in a while, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.
However, if your dog consumes the whole plant over, it can have very dangerous effects that may result in death.
Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seed Bread?
No, you should not give your dog bread made with poppy seeds. If your dog eats poppy seed bread, it could lead to serious health problems.
Besides poppy seed poisoning, the bread also contains sugar, which isn’t suitable for dogs in large quantities.
If your dog ingests poppy seed bread, it could lead to yeast infections or diabetes if they are on an unhealthy diet. Eating too much can also cause weight gain and obesity in dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seed Dressing?
No, you should not give your dog poppy seed dressing. Poppy seeds are dangerous when ingested by dogs.
While it is unlikely that your dog will eat enough poppy seeds to become sick, they still pose a threat.
Poppy seed dressing also contains sugar, carbs, and other harmful chemicals that can be bad for dogs if ingested in large quantities.
Always check for ingredients carefully, and do not give your dog food containing dangerous or toxic substances.
Can Dogs Have Poppy Seed Muffins?
No, you should not give your dog poppy seeds muffins.
One muffin may not be enough to poison your dog, but it will likely lead to an upset stomach. Two or more muffins can lead to poppy seeds poisoning, depending on the dog’s size.
Poppy seed muffins also contain sugar and other harmful ingredients. If you feed your dog poppy seed muffins regularly, these will lead to weight gain, obesity, and associated health problems.
Can Dogs Eat Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins?
No, dogs should not eat lemon poppy seed muffins for several reasons.
Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits contain citric acid that can be harmful to dogs and cause digestive problems.
Besides containing citrus, these muffins also have sugar, which is bad for dogs in large quantities. They are also high in carbohydrates, which leads to weight gain if fed regularly.
If your dog eats a lemon poppy seed muffin, they may get an upset stomach or even begin vomiting. If your dog ate more than one, it could lead to poppy seeds poisoning.
Can Dogs Eat Almond Poppy Seed Muffins?
No, dogs should not eat almond poppy seed muffins.
Almond poppy seed muffins contain sugar, which leads to weight gain, obesity and other health issues. Additionally, they contain almonds, which are dangerous for dogs with nut allergies.
If your dog ate too many almost poppy seed muffins, they are at risk of poppy seeds poisoning. Monitor your pet for poisoning symptoms and call the vet immediately if you notice any of those.
Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seed Pound Cake?
No, you should not give your dog poppy seed pound cake. Poppy seeds are dangerous for dogs to eat.
Poppy seed pound cake is high in sugar and carbohydrates. This can lead to weight gain, obesity, and other health problems if fed regularly.
If your dog consumes too much poppy seed poundcake, it could cause an upset stomach or even lead to poisoning. If you notice any of the symptoms associated with poppy seeds poisoning, take your dog to a vet immediately.
The Cause of Poppy Seeds Poisoning in Dogs
The most common cause of poppy poisoning in dogs is ingesting the seeds from food products. Ingestion of a single poppy seed does not usually pose a serious threat to dogs, though it can make them sick. Still, you should monitor them carefully.
Poppy contains alkaloids morphine and codeine, which can cause death in large quantities. These substances have medical applications but can also be detrimental to the dog’s central nervous system.
Only 0.035 ounces of edible poppy seeds contain 0.8 mcg of morphine. This can be quite a lot for a dog, depending on the size, and cause poppy toxicity.
Symptoms of Poppy Seed Poisoning in Dogs
Opioid poisoning in dogs can be identified by many symptoms. If your dog has eaten food with poppy seeds or products containing them, watch out for these symptoms:
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Depression
- Ataxia (inability to walk)
- Constricted pupils
- Lethargy
- Slowed heart rate
- Difficulty breathing
- Trembling
- Coma
Poppy poisoning leads to death in severe cases. If there is the slightest chance your dog ingested too many poppy seeds, take them to a vet clinic immediately.
What to Do if Your Dog Ate Poppy Seed?
If your dog ingests food containing poppy seeds, monitor them for the above symptoms. If you notice any of these signs, take your pet to a vet immediately.
Generally, it is not recommended to induce vomiting in dogs after eating something harmful unless instructed otherwise by a veterinarian. However, suppose the ingestion was very recent, and the dog has not begun to show any symptoms. In that case, a vet might suggest inducing vomiting if the dog is small.
The best thing you can do if you believe your dog has eaten poppy seeds is to take them to a vet clinic as soon as possible.
Treatment of Poppy Poisoning in Dogs
Veterinarians generally administer activated charcoal to dogs that have eaten poppy seeds. This is because it acts as an absorbent and prevents the harmful alkaloids from poisoning the body. A vet might also induce vomiting.
If your dog has not started showing symptoms of poisoning, then they may be kept under observation for a couple of hours at the vet clinic. This depends on how recently they ingested the poison.
However, if your dog is already showing symptoms of poisoning, then they need to be under observation at the clinic and possibly on IV fluids for a few days. Some medications can be administered depending on what stage the dog happens to be in.
In the most severe cases, veterinarians have to monitor for heart problems as they can arise from prolonged poisoning. In such a case, an EKG may be necessary to determine the extent of damage done.
Poppy and Puppy Don’t Go Well Together
Poppy may seem just as enticing as all the muffins and cakes it is in.
However, just because something is attractive doesn’t make it good for your dog’s health. If that were the case, chocolate would be at the top of the list, but it’s toxic to dogs.
Poppy seeds are extremely poisonous to dogs and are best avoided. If a dog eats poppy seeds in minimal quantities, odds are nothing terrible will happen, but be on the lookout for the symptoms.
Just follow the yellow-brick road — and choose healthier and safer foods for your dog.
