Is Sea Onion Toxic to Dogs?

☠️ ToxicSeverity: Severe

✅ Cross-checked against veterinary poison-control guidance · Oct 2026 audit

⚠️ Educational info only. If your pet just chewed something and looks unwell, skip the reading and call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (US): (855) 764-7661.

Yes, sea onion is severely toxic to dogs. Its bulb is packed with cardiac glycosides — the same chemical strategy as oleander and foxglove.

Also known as: Squill, Sea Squill, Red Squill · Drimia maritima (syn. Urginea maritima)

What makes it toxic

Bufadienolide cardiac glycosides (scillaren, scilliroside), concentrated in the large bulb. They interfere with heart muscle signaling, producing arrhythmias; red squill varieties were literally used as rodent poison.

Warning signs to watch for

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and lethargy within hours, then a slow or irregular pulse, tremors and possible collapse as the cardiac effects build.

What to do if your dog eats it

This is an emergency. Get the dog to a vet immediately and say sea onion or squill by name — cardiac glycoside cases need ECG monitoring and early decontamination to do well.

Common questions

Is red squill more dangerous than regular sea onion?

The red-bulbed form carries scilliroside and was used as a targeted rodenticide, so yes, it is the harshest variant. All Drimia/Urginea forms are unsafe for pets.

My dog dug up and bit a dormant bulb — is it still toxic?

Yes, dormancy does not neutralize the glycosides. Bulb damage plus chewing is the highest-risk scenario; go to a vet without waiting for symptoms.

More plants checked for dogs

Pothos☠️ ToxicYes, pothos is toxic to dogs. Chewing any part of the vine releases calcium oxalate crystals tha Aloe Vera⚠️ Mildly ToxicAloe vera is mildly to moderately toxic to dogs. The skin and latex layer of the leaf contain co Spider Plant✅ Non-ToxicNo, spider plants are non-toxic to dogs. A dog that nibbles the arching leaves is not at risk of Easter Lily⚠️ Mildly ToxicEaster lilies are only mildly toxic to dogs — they usually cause stomach upset, not the fatal ki Sago Palm☠️ ToxicYes — sago palm is severely toxic to dogs, with a documented fatality rate around 50% when untre Boston Fern✅ Non-ToxicNo, Boston ferns are non-toxic to dogs. Chewing a frond will not poison your dog.

This page is general educational information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every pet is different — if your animal ate something concerning, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. Checking what your pet can eat? Visit our sister site SafeOrToxic.