PlantFunColtsfoot Toxic?
Wild coltsfoot has low toxicity, while the 'Wien' cultivar is confirmed non-toxic
Liver damage risk only occurs if the plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are absent in some regional populations (e.g. Swiss specimens)
The entire plant is considered toxic in populations where pyrrolizidine alkaloids are present
FAQ
Is Coltsfoot toxic to Humans?
Liver damage if pyrrolizidine alkaloids are present, consistent with Senecio species poisoning (Low)
Is Coltsfoot toxic to Cats?
No specific clinical symptom data available for this species (Unknown)
Is Coltsfoot toxic to Dogs?
No specific clinical symptom data available for this species (Unknown)
Is Coltsfoot toxic to Horses?
No specific clinical symptom data available for this species (Unknown)
Toxicity Details
Liver damage if pyrrolizidine alkaloids are present, consistent with Senecio species poisoning
No specific clinical symptom data available for this species
No specific clinical symptom data available for this species
No specific clinical symptom data available for this species
Toxicity Snapshot
First Aid & Prevention
First 30 Minutes
- • Immediately stop consuming or feeding any coltsfoot-containing products
- • Induce vomiting only if explicitly advised by a medical professional or veterinarian within 30 minutes of ingestion
- • Collect a sample of the ingested plant for formal identification
Contact Vet Immediately
- • If signs of illness (lethargy, jaundice, abdominal pain) appear after coltsfoot ingestion
- • If a large quantity of wild coltsfoot has been ingested by humans or animals
- • If liver function abnormalities are detected following known coltsfoot exposure
Prevention
- • Avoid harvesting wild coltsfoot for consumption unless tested and confirmed free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids
- • Use only the non-toxic 'Wien' cultivar if growing coltsfoot for edible or medicinal use
- • Prevent grazing access to wild coltsfoot stands for companion animals and livestock
Treatment & Prognosis
- • Immediately discontinue all exposure to coltsfoot-containing feed or products
- • Provide supportive care for liver function as directed by a qualified healthcare provider or veterinarian
- • No curative treatment exists for established pyrrolizidine alkaloid-related liver damage
Professional Toxicology
• Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, when present in the plant, induce cumulative toxic liver damage identical to that caused by Senecio species poisoning
Information from CliniTox veterinary text.
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Data Sources
This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.