Rhododendron
Not listed does not mean safe.
albert kok · CC BY 3.0 · Photo source · shows: Rhododendron
Rhododendron spp
Also known as: Rosebay, Azalea
Family: Ericaceae · ASPCA plant record
Verdict at a glance
Show all animals
Evidence by animal
| Animal | Verdict | Basis | Plant parts | Sources | Evidence link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Companion mammals | |||||
| Cats | Cats: ⚠ Toxic | Not specified | ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Poison control | evidence | |
| Dogs | Dogs: ⚠ Toxic | Not specified | ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Poison control | evidence | |
| Horses & livestock | |||||
| Horses | Horses: ⚠ Toxic | Not specified | ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Poison control | evidence | |
| Small mammals | |||||
| Rabbits | Rabbits: ⚠ Toxic | rabbit.org: listed as poisonous (not graded); WHRS Class 1: universal toxin; Peer-reviewed systematic review, Ericaceae (PMID 41544885) | Not specified | House Rabbit Society (rabbit.org) Rescue/education group Wisconsin House Rabbit Society Rescue/education group Fidalgo & Prata 2026 Peer-reviewed | evidence |
| Birds | |||||
| Pet birds (general) | Pet birds (general): ⚠ Toxic | AAV: listed as toxic to pet birds; VCA: specifically reported harmful in birds | Not specified | Association of Avian Veterinarians Veterinary reference VCA Animal Hospitals Veterinary reference | evidence |
| Budgerigars (budgies) | Budgerigars (budgies): ⚠ Toxic | Not specified | evidence | ||
| Reptiles | |||||
| Tortoises | Tortoises: ⚠ Toxic | Peer-reviewed systematic review, Ericaceae (PMID 41544885); Tortoise Trust: listed as toxic, credible mortality reports (*) | Not specified | Fidalgo & Prata 2026 Peer-reviewed Tortoise Trust Specialist charity | evidence |
| Iguanas | Iguanas: ⚠ Toxic | Not specified | Tortoise Trust Specialist charity | evidence | |
Source excerpts
ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants — Cats, Dogs, Horses
poison-control
Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
Source checked 2026-10-27
Read original sourceHouse Rabbit Society (rabbit.org) — Poisonous Plants — Rabbits
rescue-education
rabbit.org: listed as poisonous (not graded) · rabbit.org list "Poisonous Plants" (compiled by the University of Illinois): plants "normally thought to be poisonous"; "others may cause a reaction in some but not in others". Not a graded risk.
Rhododendron
Source checked 2026-10-27
Read original sourceWisconsin House Rabbit Society — Classes of Toxic Plants — Rabbits
rescue-education
WHRS Class 1: universal toxin · Wisconsin House Rabbit Society chapter list (G. Flentke, 2012): Class 1 — "Universal species toxins": "usually systemic toxins or local effect toxins of sufficient intensity to cause systemic problems" (list heading: "Do NOT expose rabbits to these plants.").
Rhododendron
Source checked 2026-10-27
Read original sourceGrayanotoxin poisoning in animals following the ingestion of Ericaceae plants — Rabbits, Tortoises
peer-reviewed
Peer-reviewed systematic review, Ericaceae (PMID 41544885) · Systematic review of grayanotoxin poisoning after ingestion of Ericaceae plants (31 records; 111 livestock and 11 companion animals). The abstract names Rhododendron spp. and Pieris japonica as the most frequently reported plants overall but does not say which companion animal ate which plant, so this is shown as caution.
Cases were predominantly reported in livestock, namely sheep and goats, and less frequently in companion animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, tortoises, and pigs.
Source checked 2026-10-27
Read original sourceAssociation of Avian Veterinarians — Protecting Your Pet Birds From Household Dangers — Pet birds (general)
veterinary-reference
AAV: listed as toxic to pet birds · AAV leaflet "Protecting Your Pet Birds From Household Dangers" (the list "is not exhaustive").
There are reports of birds being poisoned after eating Crown vetch (Coronilla varia), Rhododendron species, and Kalanchoe species.
Source checked 2026-10-27
Read original sourceAvian toxicoses: a review (Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2025) — Pet birds (general)
peer-reviewed
Review section "Toxic plants (miscellaneous)" on pet birds.
Many ornamental plants are toxic, such as Coronilla varia, Ericaceae family (for example Rhododendron spp.), Kalanchoe spp., Nerium oleander, Taxus media, Digitalis purpurea, and Euphorbia pulcherima (81).
Source checked 2026-10-27
Read original sourceVCA Animal Hospitals — Plants That Are Toxic to Birds — Pet birds (general)
veterinary-reference
VCA: specifically reported harmful in birds · VCA: asterisk = "plants that are specifically reported to be harmful in birds".
Rhododendron*
Source checked 2026-10-27 (source updated Aug 14, 2026)
Read original sourceAvian toxicoses: a review (Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2025) — Budgerigars (budgies)
peer-reviewed
Table 2, "Some plants are toxic to pet birds" (C = clinical report, E = experimental). Basis: experimental.
Rhododendron | Budgerigars (E)
Source checked 2026-10-27
Read original sourceTortoise Trust — Toxic Plants and Tortoises — Tortoises
specialist-charity
Tortoise Trust: listed as toxic, credible mortality reports (*) · Tortoise Trust toxic-plant list (from Highfield, The Tortoise and Turtle Feeding Manual, 2001): marked * = "credible cases where mortality has been reported following consumption".
Rhododendron *
Source checked 2026-10-27
Read original sourceTortoise Trust — Toxic Plants and Tortoises — Iguanas
specialist-charity
Tortoise Trust article text: green iguanas died after consuming azalea and oleander.
tortoises have died as a result of eating daffodils and green iguanas have died after consuming azalea and oleander
Source checked 2026-10-27
Read original sourceNo evidence collected in this database yet for 15 animals
No evidence collected in this database yet for: Guinea pigs, Hamsters, Rats, Mice, Chinchillas, Ferrets, Parrots (macaws, Amazons, African greys…), Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Canaries, Finches, Pigeons & doves, Bearded dragons, Goats, Chickens & other poultry
No supported claim has been collected for these animals. Not listed does not mean safe; do not infer suitability from another species.
Toxic principles
ASPCA, as published: Grayantoxin Source
Clinical signs
ASPCA, as published: Vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, hypotension, CNS depression, cardiovascular collapse and death. Ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems. Rhododendron is typically not very palatable to horses unless it is the only forage available, but sheep and goats may graze readily on the plant. The toxic principle interferes with normal skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and nerve function. Clinical effects typically occur within a few hours after ingestion, and can include acute digestive upset, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, frequent bowel movements/diarrhea, colic, depression, weakness, loss of coordination, stupor, leg paralysis, weak heart rate and recumbency for 2 or more days; at this point, improvement may be seen or the animal may become comatose and die. Source
More from veterinary sources
Last verified (ASPCA record): 2026-10-27. Source access dates and limitations.
Similar plants (same family)
Shared family is not a shared verdict. Check each plant separately.