Quick Veterinary Answer: Yes, Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) is one of the most deadly plants a dog can ever encounter. All parts of the plant contain cycasin, a potent toxin that causes severe, acute liver failure with a mortality rate of up to 50% even with medical treatment.
Key Toxicity Facts
| Target Animals: | Dogs & Cats |
| Toxic Principle: | Cycasin (hepatotoxic carcinogen) |
| Dangerous Dosage: | Ingesting just 1 or 2 sago palm seeds is enough to kill a 50-pound dog. |
| Clinical Severity: | Extremely Fatal / Severe Liver Failure |
Symptoms of Ingestion
- Vomiting and bloody diarrhea within 15 minutes to several hours
- Extreme thirst and frequent urination initially
- Severe abdominal pain, black tarry stools (melena), and jaundice
- Spontaneous bleeding from gums and nose (coagulopathy)
- Neurological tremors, seizures, coma, and liver collapse
Emergency First-Aid Protocol
- IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY: Take your pet to an intensive care veterinary hospital right away.
- Early decontamination (gastric lavage and multiple doses of activated charcoal) within 2 hours is the only way to survive.
- Do not allow sago palms in your yard or garden if you own pets.
📞 24/7 Hotlines: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) | Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all parts of the sago palm toxic?
Yes, but the seeds (nuts) contain the highest concentration of the deadly toxin cycasin.