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Irises are toxic to dogs, and the most dangerous part is the underground rhizome, which dogs dig up. The plant irritates the mouth and gut, causing drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. Like tulip and daffodil bulbs, the buried part carries the concentrated toxin.
Check Iris for your dog
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Why Iris is dangerous
Irises contain irritant compounds (including irisin and pentacyclic terpenoids) that are most concentrated in the rhizome, the thick underground stem. Chewing the plant, and the rhizome especially, irritates the mouth and digestive tract.
A nibble of leaf or flower usually causes drooling and mild stomach upset. Digging up and eating the rhizome is the bigger exposure, since that is where the irritants concentrate, and a small dog that ate rhizome is the case to call about.
Can I treat this at home?
A small leaf or flower nibble in a bright dog can usually be watched at home with water available.
When should I call the vet?
Rhizome eaten, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, a small dog, or drooling and mouth pain that does not settle.
Compiled from veterinary poison-control and medical reference sources, including the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the Pet Poison Helpline, and the Merck Veterinary Manual. This is general educational information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for examination by your veterinarian. DogSafe's severity ratings are our own assessment, calculated from published guidance and your dog's weight. In an emergency, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.