Buttercup Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 1,615 found this helpful

Ranunculus spp.

All Ranunculus spp. varieties are confirmed toxic to cats, dogs, and horses per ASPCA data

Protoanemonin, the core toxic compound, acts as a strong irritant to skin and mucous membranes

Exposure typically causes gastrointestinal distress, oral injury, and uncoordinated movement in affected animals

FAQ

Is Buttercup toxic to Humans?

Localized skin rashes, oral blistering, salivation, stomach pain, and diarrhea; severe large-ingestion cases may include tremors (Low)

Is Buttercup toxic to Cats?

Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, oral ulcers and wobbly gait (Moderate)

Is Buttercup toxic to Dogs?

Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, oral ulcers and wobbly gait (Moderate)

Is Buttercup toxic to Horses?

Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, oral ulcers and wobbly gait (Moderate)

Not sure which plant? Snap a photo to ID in 1 secondGet App

Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

Localized skin rashes, oral blistering, salivation, stomach pain, and diarrhea; severe large-ingestion cases may include tremors

Cats

Moderate

Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, oral ulcers and wobbly gait

Dogs

Moderate

Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, oral ulcers and wobbly gait

Horses

Moderate

Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, oral ulcers and wobbly gait

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll fresh plant parts (leaves, stems, flowers, roots) are toxic; dried plant material has reduced but not eliminated toxicity

Exposure RouteIngestion is the most common high-risk exposure route; direct skin or mucous membrane contact also causes irritation

Toxic CompoundsProtoanemonin

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove all remaining plant material from the exposed animal's mouth, skin or fur immediately
• Rinse affected contact areas (mouth, skin) with cool clean water for 10-15 minutes to reduce irritant exposure
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a veterinarian or animal poison control specialist

Contact Vet Immediately

• If the animal has ingested more than a small bite of buttercup plant material
• If any symptoms such as vomiting, oral ulcers, excessive salivation or wobbly gait develop
• If the exposed animal is juvenile, elderly, or has pre-existing health conditions

Prevention

• Remove all Ranunculus spp. plants from yards, pastures, and other areas accessible to pets and livestock
• Train pet owners and farm staff to identify buttercup to avoid accidental exposure during grazing or outdoor activities
• Avoid feeding hay or forage with high dried buttercup content to horses or other grazing livestock

Treatment & Prognosis

• Administer gastrointestinal protectants to soothe oral and digestive tract irritation and ulceration
• Provide supportive fluid therapy to correct dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea
• Monitor neurological symptoms (wobbly gait) and provide symptomatic care until all signs resolve

Emergency? Open PlantFun for real-time AI guidanceGet App

Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameRanunculus spp.

AliasesButter Cress、Figwort

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsModerate

DogsModerate

HorsesModerate

Target Organs

Oral mucosaGastrointestinal tractSkinCentral nervous system

Mechanism of Action

• Protoanemonin is released when plant tissue is damaged, causing direct irritant damage to all contacted skin and mucous membranes

• Systemic absorption of sufficient quantities of the compound leads to mild temporary impairment of the central nervous system

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: Ingestion causes oral blistering, reduced milk production, and gastrointestinal distress; large repeated exposure can lead to weight loss

Sheep: Relatively more resistant than horses or cattle, but large ingestion can still cause diarrhea, lethargy, and reduced feed intake

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Lesser Celandine Ficaria verna

Visually similar due to bright yellow spring flowers; key difference is lesser celandine has smooth heart-shaped leaves, while buttercup has deeply lobed palmate leaves

Marsh Marigold Caltha palustris

Shares bright yellow flowers and wet habitat preferences; marsh marigold has larger, rounded glossy leaves, compared to the smaller lobed leaves of most Ranunculus species

Use PlantFun to scan and avoid misidentificationGet App

Related Toxic Plants

Monkshood

Aconitum napellus

Severe toxicity, potentially fatal even in very small ingestion doses for humans and animals

Larkspur

Delphinium spp.

High toxicity, a leading cause of fatal livestock poisoning in grazing areas

Hellebore

Helleborus spp.

Moderate toxicity, causes gastrointestinal distress and cardiac rhythm abnormalities in exposed animals

Download PlantFun App

Identify, grow and care for plants effectively!

Instant Plant ID

Take a photo to quickly identify plants.

Smart Care Reminders

Generate watering and care schedules.

Toxicity & Disease Diagnosis

Identify toxic plants and pests with treatment advice.

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.

View Full Plant Wiki