Goat willow Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 4,678 found this helpful

Excessive or chronic consumption of goat willow carries a risk of bleeding complications

No specific confirmed toxicity data for cats, dogs, or horses is available in the referenced dataset

The plant can be easily confused with other closely related Salix (willow) species with variable toxicity profiles

FAQ

Is Goat willow toxic to Humans?

Potential increased bleeding tendency, gum bleeding, nosebleeds, or blood in excreta, especially with excessive or long-term intake (Low)

Is Goat willow toxic to Cats?

No confirmed toxicity symptoms documented in available data (Unknown)

Is Goat willow toxic to Dogs?

No confirmed toxicity symptoms documented in available data (Unknown)

Is Goat willow toxic to Horses?

No confirmed toxicity symptoms documented in available data (Unknown)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

Potential increased bleeding tendency, gum bleeding, nosebleeds, or blood in excreta, especially with excessive or long-term intake

Cats

Unknown

No confirmed toxicity symptoms documented in available data

Dogs

Unknown

No confirmed toxicity symptoms documented in available data

Horses

Unknown

No confirmed toxicity symptoms documented in available data

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts; risk only occurs with excessive consumption or chronic long-term intake

Exposure RouteIngestion

Toxic CompoundsUnspecified salicylate-like compounds associated with observed bleeding risk

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Induce vomiting only if large quantity was ingested in the last 1 hour and the patient is fully conscious
• Administer activated charcoal if available to reduce gastrointestinal absorption of plant compounds
• Monitor for signs of unusual bleeding or bruising for 24-48 hours post-exposure

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your pet ingested a large quantity of goat willow material
• If you observe signs of bleeding (gum bleeding, nosebleeds, blood in stool/urine) post-exposure
• If the patient shows unusual lethargy, abdominal pain, or discomfort after exposure

Prevention

• Avoid intentional feeding of goat willow to humans or domestic animals
• Store dried willow cuttings or herbal willow products out of reach of children and pets
• Do not use goat willow for home medicinal purposes without consulting a qualified healthcare provider

Treatment & Prognosis

• Supportive care focused on monitoring and managing bleeding symptoms
• Administration of vitamin K in cases of confirmed coagulation impairment
• Symptomatic care for any gastrointestinal irritation if present

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameSalix caprea L.

AliasesPussy willow、Great sallow、Sal-Weide (German)、Hängesalweide (German)、Palmweide (German)、Saule marsault (French)、Saule des chèvres (French)、Salice delle capre (Italian)

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsUnknown

DogsUnknown

HorsesUnknown

Target Organs

Blood coagulation systemVascular systemGastrointestinal mucosa (high dose exposure)

Mechanism of Action

• Suspected salicylate compounds in plant material impair blood platelet function and coagulation pathways, leading to elevated bleeding risk with high or prolonged intake

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle, sheep, goats: No confirmed adverse events reported; avoid providing unrestricted access to large quantities of plant material

Small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): No documented toxicity; limit intake to small, occasional amounts to avoid potential bleeding risk

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other willow species Salix spp.

Closely related Salix species have highly similar leaf, catkin, and growth morphology; toxicity profiles vary across species, so accurate identification is critical to avoid unexpected risk

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Related Toxic Plants

White willow

Salix alba

Low toxicity; bleeding risk with excessive or chronic intake

Black willow

Salix nigra

Moderate toxicity; higher salicylate content carries elevated bleeding risk even with moderate intake

Eastern cottonwood

Populus deltoides

Low toxicity; mild salicylate-related bleeding risk with high intake

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

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