Is Aconitine safe for dogs and cats?
Extreme risk for petsDogs are highly susceptible to aconitine cardiotoxicity. Garden Aconitum species are common ornamental plants in temperate climates; dogs that chew on aconite roots or plant material develop rapid-onset toxicosis. Clinical signs include hypersalivation, vomiting, ataxia, bradycardia, ventricular arrhythmias, and collapse within 30–60 minutes of ingestion. The cardiotoxic effects can be rapidly fatal; ASPCA lists aconitum (monkshood/wolfsbane) as causing severe toxicosis in dogs. Decontamination must be performed within 15–30 minutes of ingestion to be effective given rapid absorption; after that, intensive cardiac monitoring and antiarrhythmic therapy are required. Prognosis is poor for dogs that ingest significant quantities of plant material, particularly the root.
What is aconitine?
The IUPAC name is [(1S,2R,3R,4R,5R,6S,7S,8R,9R,13R,14R,16S,17S,18R)-8-acetyloxy-11-ethyl-5,7,14-trihydroxy-6,16,18-trimethoxy-13-(methoxymethyl)-11-azahexacyclo[7.7.2.12,5.01,10.03,8.013,17]nonadecan-4-yl] benzoate.
Also known as: [(1S,2R,3R,4R,5R,6S,7S,8R,9R,13R,14R,16S,17S,18R)-8-acetyloxy-11-ethyl-5,7,14-trihydroxy-6,16,18-trimethoxy-13-(methoxymethyl)-11-azahexacyclo[7.7.2.12,5.01,10.03,8.013,17]nonadecan-4-yl] benzoate, Acetylbenzoylaconine, Aconitinum, Acetylbenzoyl aconine.
- IUPAC name
- [(1S,2R,3R,4R,5R,6S,7S,8R,9R,13R,14R,16S,17S,18R)-8-acetyloxy-11-ethyl-5,7,14-trihydroxy-6,16,18-trimethoxy-13-(methoxymethyl)-11-azahexacyclo[7.7.2.12,5.01,10.03,8.013,17]nonadecan-4-yl] benzoate
- CAS number
- 302-27-2
- Molecular formula
- C34H47NO11
- Molecular weight
- 645.7 g/mol
- SMILES
- CCN1CC2(C(CC(C34C2C(C(C31)C5(C6C4CC(C6OC(=O)C7=CC=CC=C7)(C(C5O)OC)O)OC(=O)C)OC)OC)O)COC
- PubChem CID
- 245005
Risk for dogs
Extreme riskDogs are highly susceptible to aconitine cardiotoxicity. Garden Aconitum species are common ornamental plants in temperate climates; dogs that chew on aconite roots or plant material develop rapid-onset toxicosis. Clinical signs include hypersalivation, vomiting, ataxia, bradycardia, ventricular arrhythmias, and collapse within 30–60 minutes of ingestion. The cardiotoxic effects can be rapidly fatal; ASPCA lists aconitum (monkshood/wolfsbane) as causing severe toxicosis in dogs. Decontamination must be performed within 15–30 minutes of ingestion to be effective given rapid absorption; after that, intensive cardiac monitoring and antiarrhythmic therapy are required. Prognosis is poor for dogs that ingest significant quantities of plant material, particularly the root.
Risk for cats
Extreme riskCats are equally susceptible to aconitine toxicity through the same sodium channel activation mechanism. While cats are less likely to chew on garden plants than dogs, outdoor cats and curious indoor cats with access to Aconitum plants face real exposure risk. Clinical signs and treatment are identical to those in dogs. The rapid onset and cardiotoxic progression make aconitine poisoning a life-threatening emergency regardless of species. ASPCA includes Aconitum in the list of plants causing severe toxicosis in cats. The narrow window for effective decontamination and the absence of a specific antidote make aconitine one of the most dangerous plant toxins from a veterinary clinical management perspective.
Regulatory consensus
1 regulatory bodyhas classified Aconitine.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown | — | — |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where pets encounter aconitine
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Aconitine:
-
Lidocaine topical (for pain)
Trade-offs: If aconitine exposure is from traditional medicine (aconite root / fuzi): lidocaine provides local anesthesia without cardiotoxicity. OTC availability. Well-characterized safety profile.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
-
Capsaicin topical
Trade-offs: Desensitizes pain nerves (TRPV1). No systemic toxicity at topical doses. Initial burning sensation. Used for neuropathic pain where aconite was traditionally applied.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is aconitine safe for pets?
Dogs are highly susceptible to aconitine cardiotoxicity. Garden Aconitum species are common ornamental plants in temperate climates; dogs that chew on aconite roots or plant material develop rapid-onset toxicosis. Clinical signs include hypersalivation, vomiting, ataxia, bradycardia, ventricular arrhythmias, and collapse within 30–60 minutes of ingestion. The cardiotoxic effects can be rapidly fatal; ASPCA lists aconitum (monkshood/wolfsbane) as causing severe toxicosis in dogs. Decontamination must be performed within 15–30 minutes of ingestion to be effective given rapid absorption; after that, intensive cardiac monitoring and antiarrhythmic therapy are required. Prognosis is poor for dogs that ingest significant quantities of plant material, particularly the root.
What products contain aconitine?
Aconitine appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
See Aconitine in the pets app
Look up products containing aconitine, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in pets View raw API dataSources (2)
- National Capital Poison Center: Aconitine (Aconitum napellus) — Mechanism of Action, Human Poisoning Epidemiology, Cardiac Emergency Management, and Case Fatalities (2014) (2014) — scientific
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Monkshood/Wolfsbane (Aconitum spp.) — Aconitine Cardiotoxicity in Dogs and Cats, Rapid Progression, and Clinical Outcomes (2018) — veterinary
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →