Wild Radish Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 3,870 found this helpful

Wild radish is confirmed toxic to horses, while toxicity risks to cats and dogs are currently unclassified

Isothiocyanates are the documented primary toxic compound in wild radish per ASPCA data

Ingestion of wild radish causes gastrointestinal irritation and colic in affected horses

FAQ

Is Wild Radish toxic to Humans?

No confirmed severe human toxicity cases reported; large ingestions may cause mild gastrointestinal upset (Low)

Is Wild Radish toxic to Cats?

Toxicity unknown, no documented clinical signs of poisoning reported to date (Unknown)

Is Wild Radish toxic to Dogs?

Toxicity unknown, no documented clinical signs of poisoning reported to date (Unknown)

Is Wild Radish toxic to Horses?

Gastrointestinal irritation, colic (Low)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

No confirmed severe human toxicity cases reported; large ingestions may cause mild gastrointestinal upset

Cats

Unknown

Toxicity unknown, no documented clinical signs of poisoning reported to date

Dogs

Unknown

Toxicity unknown, no documented clinical signs of poisoning reported to date

Horses

Low

Gastrointestinal irritation, colic

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts, particularly young foliage and mature seeds, are considered potentially toxic

Exposure RouteIngestion is the only confirmed exposure route for toxic effects

Toxic CompoundsIsothiocyanates

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove any remaining wild radish plant material from the exposed animal's mouth immediately
• Avoid inducing vomiting unless specifically directed to do so by a licensed veterinarian
• If the animal is alert and able to swallow, offer small sips of fresh water to dilute irritants

Contact Vet Immediately

• A horse has ingested any quantity of wild radish
• Any animal displays signs of abdominal pain, diarrhea, or lethargy after suspected exposure
• You are unsure of the volume of wild radish consumed by your pet or livestock

Prevention

• Clear wild radish plants from horse pastures, pet yards, and livestock grazing areas
• Inspect hay and forage supplies for wild radish contamination before feeding to horses
• Train pet owners and livestock handlers to correctly identify wild radish to prevent accidental ingestion

Treatment & Prognosis

• Veterinarians may administer gastrointestinal protectants to reduce mucosal irritation
• Supportive fluid therapy and pain management will be provided for horses presenting with colic
• Symptomatic care will be offered to address any additional presenting clinical signs

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameRaphanus raphanistrum

AliasesJointed Charlock、White Charlock、Wild Raphanus

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsUnknown

DogsUnknown

HorsesLow

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractAbdominal serous membranes (in severe colic cases)

Mechanism of Action

• Isothiocyanates irritate the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation and associated clinical signs

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: Low suspected toxicity; large ingestions may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation, though most cattle avoid the plant when quality forage is available

Sheep: Very low toxicity risk; sheep can tolerate small amounts of wild radish in forage with no reported adverse effects

Goats: Low toxicity risk; occasional small ingestions rarely cause clinical signs, though large amounts may trigger mild diarrhea

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Cultivated Radish Raphanus sativus

Visually nearly identical to wild radish in above-ground growth; key difference is cultivated radish produces a large, fleshy edible taproot, while wild radish has a thin, woody, inedible taproot

Common Charlock Sinapis arvensis

Shares the same yellow flower structure and Brassicaceae growth habit; key difference is charlock has non-jointed seed pods and smaller, hairier foliage than wild radish

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Related Toxic Plants

Black Mustard

Brassica nigra

Moderate toxicity; contains glucosinolates that cause severe gastrointestinal irritation in livestock

Field Mustard

Brassica rapa

Low to moderate toxicity; can cause gastrointestinal distress and photosensitization in grazing animals

Horseradish

Armoracia rusticana

Low toxicity; high isothiocyanate content causes oral and gastrointestinal irritation if ingested in large volumes

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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.