Plum Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 4,311 found this helpful

Stems, leaves, and seeds of plum plants contain cyanogenic glycosides, which are poisonous to cats, dogs, and horses

Wilting plum plant parts have particularly elevated cyanide toxicity, leading to faster and more severe poisoning if ingested

Immediate veterinary care is required if at-risk animals ingest any toxic part of a plum plant to avoid fatal complications

FAQ

Is Plum toxic to Humans?

No specific clinical symptom data for humans is available in the referenced dataset; seek immediate medical care if large quantities of plum seeds or foliage are ingested (Low)

Is Plum toxic to Cats?

Brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock (Severe)

Is Plum toxic to Dogs?

Brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock (Severe)

Is Plum toxic to Horses?

Brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock (Severe)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

No specific clinical symptom data for humans is available in the referenced dataset; seek immediate medical care if large quantities of plum seeds or foliage are ingested

Cats

Severe

Brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock

Dogs

Severe

Brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock

Horses

Severe

Brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsStems, leaves, and seeds (pits) of the plant

Exposure RouteIngestion of toxic plant parts; dermal contact does not cause known toxicity

Toxic CompoundsCyanogenic glycosides

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Immediately remove any remaining plum plant material from the affected animal's mouth to stop further ingestion
• Do not induce vomiting or administer home remedies unless explicitly directed by a licensed veterinarian
• Collect a sample of the ingested plant part to aid veterinary identification and treatment planning

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your cat, dog, or horse has ingested any amount of plum stems, leaves, or seeds
• If the animal shows any signs of poisoning including brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, panting, or difficulty breathing
• If you suspect the animal has consumed wilting plum plant material, which carries heightened toxicity risk

Prevention

• Keep plum trees, pruned branches, fallen fruit pits, and wilting plum debris completely out of reach of cats, dogs, and horses
• Never feed plum pits, leaves, or stems to companion animals or livestock, even in small quantities
• Clearly mark plum plantings in residential or agricultural areas to avoid accidental exposure for at-risk animals

Treatment & Prognosis

• Veterinarians may administer specific cyanide antidotes if ingestion is confirmed and occurred recently
• Supportive care including oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, and shock management will be provided as needed
• Vital signs including blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and mucous membrane color will be monitored continuously until the animal is fully stable

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NamePrunus domestica

AliasesEuropean plum、Common plum、Garden plum

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsSevere

DogsSevere

HorsesSevere

Target Organs

Respiratory tractCardiovascular systemCentral nervous systemMucous membranes

Mechanism of Action

• Cyanogenic glycosides present in stems, leaves, and seeds are metabolized to release hydrogen cyanide after ingestion

• Cyanide blocks cellular oxygen utilization, leading to systemic hypoxia and associated clinical symptoms

• Wilting plant tissue contains higher concentrations of bioavailable cyanide, leading to faster onset of more severe poisoning

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: Highly susceptible to cyanide poisoning from ingestion of plum foliage or seeds, with fatal outcomes common if large amounts of wilting plant material are consumed

Sheep and Goats: Moderate to high toxicity risk, ingestion of toxic plum parts may cause respiratory distress, shock, and death if untreated

Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): Moderate toxicity risk, ingestion may cause gastrointestinal upset, respiratory symptoms, and neurological signs

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Apricot Prunus armeniaca

Belongs to the same Prunus genus as plum, with similar foliage; identifiable by its rounded, fuzzy-skinned fruit, and also contains toxic cyanogenic glycosides

Peach Prunus persica

Closely related Prunus species with nearly identical leaf and stem structure to plum; distinguished by its larger, fuzzy fruit, and carries the same cyanide-based toxicity risks

Sweet Cherry Prunus avium

Prunus genus plant with comparable growth habit and foliage to plum; produces small, round, mostly red fruit, and non-fruit parts contain the same toxic cyanogenic glycosides

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Related Toxic Plants

Black Cherry

Prunus serotina

Severe toxicity, ingestion of wilted foliage is often fatal for livestock and companion animals

Cherry Laurel

Prunus laurocerasus

Severe toxicity, all plant parts contain high levels of cyanogenic glycosides, ingestion can cause rapid death

Wild Apple

Malus sylvestris

Moderate toxicity, seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides that can cause poisoning if consumed in large quantities

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.