Can they eat it?

Can dogs and cats eat Poppy seeds and poppy-seed cake?

Poppy seeds can contain small amounts of opium alkaloids. Typical baked goods rarely cause poisoning, but cakes are also sugary and fatty and may contain raisins.

Why

Opioid alkaloids (morphine, codeine) – variable, usually low in culinary seeds; fat and sugar

Signs to watch for

• drowsiness or wobbliness (large amounts)
• vomiting
• diarrhoea

Good to know

A bite of makovník is unlikely to be serious. Large amounts of raw seeds or a whole cake are a concern — and check for raisins (grapes are dangerous). The poppy plant itself is toxic. Evidence for culinary seed poisoning in pets is limited.