Aloe

Severity scale:
No/low toxicity

This potential toxin is considered to be a mild risk or the symptoms are not considered serious. The risk level, however, may vary depending on the amount or part ingested (see details below). While in most cases you should be able to carefully monitor your pet at home, if any of the symptoms listed below appear, if your pet's condition worsens not improves, or if there is any change in your pet's behavior or other habits, please contact whiskerDocs or your primary veterinarian for further guidance.

Aloe vera is a succulent plant species with spiky leaves in a rosette pattern. The leaves are green or pale green, spear shaped with serrated margins, and are often flecked with white. Flowers are tube shaped in clusters at the end of a tall stalk.  Extracts from Aloe vera are widely used in food, cosmetics and alternative medicine industries. Often used to sooth burns and/or itchy skin, it's a common plant for people to keep in their homes, but the sap from the plant can be irritating to your pet. Although rarely life-threatening except in large doses that cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), it's best to keep this natural remedy away from your pets to avoid any stomach irritation and appetite changes.

Other names: 
Aloe spp., aloe vera, soothing aloe
Toxic to: 
Dogs and Cats
Part of plant: 
Sap
Symptoms: 
Anorexia (loss of appetite), depression, vomiting, diarrhea, occasional hypoglycemia
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