Poppy For Your Puppy Explained: Can Dogs Have Poppy Seeds?

The poppy seed is a kidney-shaped oilseed that is obtained from the opium poppy. 

While many of us are aware that certain foods, such as garlic, are unsuitable for dogs, others are more difficult to determine whether or not they are safe. Because poppy seeds come under the second group, you might be unsure whether or not it's important to contact your vet if your beloved dog has eaten something containing poppy seeds.

In this post, we'll look at whether poppy seeds are OK for your dog to eat in large amounts. We'll also find out if they won't harm our dogs when consumed in tiny amounts, what the symptoms of harm are, and whether or not they should be avoided entirely. Find out more about these animals' diets by reading this article. Also, you can check out our other facts' articles on can dogs eat pumpkin seeds and can dogs eat raspberry.

What happens if my dog eats poppy seeds?

Poppy seeds are poisonous to dogs, and they won't be OK afterward.

If your dogs eat poppy seeds or even poppy seed dressing, it can cause both lethargy or hyperactivity, as well as poor coordination, convulsions, reduced respiration, and heart palpitation.

Poppy poisoning can be lethal in some situations. If you suspect your dog has eaten poppy seeds, you must take it to a vet immediately. Never try to make it vomit on your own, especially if it's been more than an hour since it ate the seeds. Your dog may require IV fluids, meds, and monitoring to ensure that it is breathing properly and if its heart rate is normal, in certain serious cases.

The mainline is that poppy seeds are toxic to pets and can make them quite sick, so don't take a chance and find another tasty treat for your dog!

How poisonous are poppies?

Alkaloids are found in poppy seeds. Another reason why poppy seeds are dangerous and toxic to dogs is that opioids are extremely destructive to the central nervous system.

It is better not to keep poppy plants around the house because the entire poppy plant, not just the seeds, is dangerous to your dog if ingested.

The alkaloids morphine and codeine are found in the poppy. While some medications have poppy for medical uses, they can still harm the dog's health and nervous system if taken in excess.

Although poppy plant seeds are particularly dangerous to an extreme degree, it is still not a good idea to feed them to your dog.

Why are poppy seeds bad for dogs?

To summarize, if dogs eat poppy seeds, it is terrible for the dog! They must not eat poppy seeds. You must be cautious as their owners to keep it away from them.

The first thing that should come to mind if you ever plan on giving poppy seeds to your dog is that they are toxic to dogs. Poppy seeds are harmful and deadly, according to the Pet Poison Hotline and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

The toxicity of poppy seeds varies on the poppy species and the amount consumed.

Poppy seeds are extremely poisonous to dogs, and you should never feed your dog any amount of poppy seeds. Dogs are very sensitive to a plethora of foods, and poppy seeds are harmful to dogs of all sizes and ages.

Watermelon, kiwis, apples, bananas, blueberries, pineapples, and salmon are just a few of the healthy dog treats that are healthful and wonderful.

What To Do If Your Dog Eats Poppy Seeds

Even while poppy seeds only contain minute levels of opiates, they may be enough to cause problems in some dogs.

If your dogs eat poppy seed, a slice of bread cooked with poppies, or an everything bagel sprinkled with seeds; it's unlikely that they'll get sick. Of course, this will be determined by their size and sensitivities. We don't suggest that you urge them to eat these. We recommend that you keep a close check on them for the next 24-48 hours and contact your veterinarian immediately if you have any concerns.

Poppy-seed muffins/bread or edible poppy seeds are not suitable for your pup. A single muffin may cause an upset stomach, but consuming too many poppy seed muffins may cause a hazardous reaction to a dog's central nervous system. Whether your dog eats a small amount or a large number of poppy seeds by accident, you should immediately call your vet without any delay.

If your dog has consumed poppy seeds, we strongly advise you to contact your vet immediately and explain the scenario to them. Keep a watchful check on your pet dog and look for any signs of illness.

Symptoms Of Poppy Toxicity

When you suspect your dog has eaten a good quantity of poppy seeds, keep an eye on it to see if it exhibits any of the symptoms listed below.

Call your vet for treatment and advice if you observe these symptoms after your pup eats a few poppy seeds. Symptoms of poppy poisoning present themselves in a variety of ways. These could include lack of appetite, pinpoint pupils, trembling, ataxia, weakness, depression, sedation, depression of the lungs, slowed heart rate, and trouble breathing. Coma/death occurs without much warning in very extreme cases, though those are relatively rare.

If your dog exhibits any of these signs, you should consult a veterinarian for treatment as soon as possible.

Did you know?

Pinpoint pupils (in dogs), dilated pupils (in cats), sleepiness, walking drunk, slowed respiratory rate, respiratory depression (which can lead to respiratory arrest or death), coma, and other symptoms are all signs of opioid poisoning.

If your dog is eating food that contains opium poppy or poppy seed, or opioids of any form, then you should ask for veterinary advice right away. Without treatment of opioid poisoning, animals can die from severe sedation and respiratory arrest.

Opioids are among the most effective relievers for the prevention of acute pain in a variety of animals, including cats and dogs. G-protein concentration and expression in discrete brain areas are disrupted by opiates, resulting in adaptive changes in various cellular functions and opiate tolerance.

Your dog should not consume poppy seed plants. These flowers may be lovely, but they are incredibly toxic to dogs and will have an adverse effect on them. There are many different species of flowers and plants, but they are all poisonous to dogs.

Protect your poppies with a fence to keep your dog out and away from them if you have them in your yard. Their symptoms cause harsh effects if the quantity of poppy seeds is great. Dog owners should be careful to keep their dog away from this sort of plant.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for can dogs have poppy seeds, then why not take a look at can dogs eat hazelnuts or Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepard Facts.