Are 4 O’Clocks Toxic to Dogs? | What To Do If Eaten

Yes, four o’clock (Mirabilis jalapa) can make dogs sick, most often causing vomiting and diarrhea after chewing seeds, roots, or leaves.

Four o’clocks look harmless: bright blooms that open late in the day, a sweet scent, and a habit of popping up where you least expect them. Dogs see a new plant and do what dogs do—sniff, mouth, chew, swallow. If you’re staring at a half-eaten plant and a guilty face, you want two things fast: how risky this is, and what to do next.

Most cases are stomach-and-gut trouble that clears with basic care. Still, “usually mild” doesn’t help much at 10 p.m. when your dog starts drooling or retching. The details matter: which part was eaten, how much, your dog’s size, and whether your dog already has a tender stomach.

Are 4 O’Clocks Toxic to Dogs? Signs And Risk Level

Four o’clock (also called marvel of Peru) is listed as a toxic plant for pets by the ASPCA’s plant database, with effects centered on the digestive tract. The plant contains irritant compounds, and the seeds and roots are often named as the riskiest parts.

For many dogs, the pattern looks like this: they chew a leaf or flower, swallow a bit, then feel queasy. That can turn into vomiting, loose stool, or both. Some dogs also get extra drool, lip smacking, or a “please take me outside” pace.

Call your vet right away if you see repeated vomiting, blood in stool, trouble breathing, weakness, wobbliness, or if your dog is a puppy, senior, pregnant, or has kidney, liver, or heart disease. Those cases can slide from “upset stomach” to dehydration fast.

4 O’Clocks And Dogs: Toxicity Risk In Home Gardens

Dogs run into four o’clocks in the same few ways. Some nibble leaves out of curiosity. Some chew flowers because they’re soft and smell interesting. Digging dogs are the wildcard, since roots and tubers can be exposed after a good scratch session.

Risk also climbs when four o’clocks drop seed pods. Those little dark seeds can scatter across soil or patio edges. A dog that likes to crunch “mystery snacks” off the ground can eat more than you’d guess.

If your dog ate a small bite of leaf and acts normal, the odds lean toward a short-lived tummy upset or no signs at all. If your dog chewed seed pods or dug up roots, treat it as higher risk and call your vet.

Why Four O’Clocks Upset Dogs

Four o’clocks aren’t a “one bite and collapse” plant for most dogs. The trouble comes from irritation. When a dog chews the plant, the mouth and gut lining can get inflamed. That irritation can trigger nausea, belly cramps, and loose stool. Seeds and roots carry more of the irritant load, so a dog that digs or crunches seed pods can feel it more.

Another twist: dogs don’t always react the same way. One dog may chew a flower and feel nothing. Another dog with a sensitive gut may vomit after a nibble. Treat the plant as a hazard, then judge the situation based on your dog’s signs.

How To Confirm You’re Dealing With Four O’Clocks

Before you assume, confirm the plant. Four o’clocks (Mirabilis jalapa) have trumpet-like blooms that open late afternoon, a thickened “knobby” stem at nodes, and a habit of setting lots of dark seeds. If you want a solid ID, the NCSU Extension’s Mirabilis jalapa profile has photos and plant notes that help match what’s in your yard.

If the plant in your yard looks close but not exact, keep the same caution. Many ornamentals can irritate a dog’s gut, even when they aren’t on a “toxic” list.

What Parts Of The Plant Are Most Risky

Dogs don’t read botany books. They chew what’s in reach. Risk shifts with the plant part, texture, and the way dogs interact with it (sniffing, nibbling, digging). Use this quick map to think through what your dog likely got into.

Plant Part	Why It Can Cause Trouble	What You May Notice In Dogs
Seeds	Concentrated irritants; easy to crunch and swallow	Vomiting, loose stool, drool, belly discomfort
Seed Pods	Carry multiple seeds; dogs may chew them like toys	Vomiting, diarrhea, gagging, seed bits in vomit
Roots/Tubers	More irritant compounds; digging dogs reach them	Vomiting, diarrhea, belly pain, poor appetite
Leaves	Plant fibers plus irritants can inflame the gut	Queasiness, drool, soft stool
Flowers	Less concentrated than seeds/roots; still irritating for some dogs	Mild vomiting or loose stool in sensitive dogs
Stems	Rough fibers can irritate the throat and stomach	Gagging, drool, vomiting after chewing
Sap On Fur/Paws	Skin irritation after contact, then licking	Redness, paw licking, drool, mild stomach upset
Compost With Plant Bits	Dogs may eat mixed scraps plus seed debris	Loose stool, vomiting, gassy belly

What To Do Right After Your Dog Eats Four O’Clocks

Start with a calm, quick check. A good plan is simple: remove access, figure out what was eaten, then watch for signs.

Step 1: Stop More Chewing

Move your dog away from the plant. Pick up dropped seed pods. If your dog dug at the base, cover the spot so there’s no second round.

Step 2: Clear The Mouth And Paws

Look for plant bits stuck in the lips or between teeth. Wipe the mouth area with a damp cloth. Rinse paws if your dog walked through crushed plant parts, then dry them so your dog doesn’t lick more residue.

Step 3: Note The Details

Write down your dog’s weight, the time of exposure, and the part eaten (seed, leaf, root). If you can, snap a photo of the plant and the chewed area. These details help your vet give cleaner advice by phone.

Step 4: Decide Whether To Call Now

If your dog ate seeds or roots, call your vet even if your dog looks fine. If your dog only mouthed a leaf and acts normal, you can watch closely at home. Either way, don’t force vomiting at home unless a vet tells you to. Wrong timing or wrong method can harm a dog.

The ASPCA’s plant listing is a solid reference point for four o’clock and other plants when you need to confirm a plant’s status fast: ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plants listing for four o’clock.

Symptoms Timeline: What You May See And When

Signs often start within a few hours of chewing, though a dog that eats and runs may show signs later. Watch your dog like you would watch a toddler with a stomach bug: energy, drinking, bathroom trips, and breathing.

Early Signs

• Drooling, lip smacking
• Gagging, retching
• One or two vomits
• Loose stool
• Restless pacing, belly tucked

Signs That Mean “Call Now”

• Vomiting that repeats or won’t stop
• Blood in vomit or stool
• Weakness, wobble, collapse
• Hard belly swelling or pain cries
• Breathing trouble or pale gums

Home Care For Mild Signs

If your dog is bright, alert, and only has mild stomach upset, home care can be enough. The goal is to avoid dehydration and give the gut a break.

Water First

Offer small sips of water. If your dog gulps and vomits, offer less, more often. Keep fresh water available.

Food Plan

Skip rich treats for a day. If vomiting stops and your dog wants food, offer a small, plain meal like boiled chicken with rice. Feed small portions, spaced out.

Keep Activity Low

Short leash walks for bathroom breaks are fine. Skip rough play until stools firm up.

When The Vet May Recommend Treatment

Veterinary care is about stopping vomiting, protecting hydration, and easing gut irritation. The clinic may give anti-nausea medicine, fluids, and sometimes a binder like activated charcoal if the timing fits. If a dog ate a lot of seeds or root, the vet may also check for belly pain and dehydration.

Bring a sample of the plant (in a sealed bag) or clear photos. That saves time and can prevent mix-ups with look-alike ornamentals.

Action	When It Fits	Notes
Phone triage with your vet	Any seed/root chewing, or any worrying sign	Have your dog’s weight and photos ready
Rinse mouth and paws	Right after chewing or digging	Helps cut down licking of residue
Watch at home	Small leaf/flower nibble, dog acts normal	Track vomiting, stool, water intake for 24 hours
Clinic visit	Repeated vomiting, blood, weakness, poor hydration	Fluids and anti-nausea meds may be needed
Emergency care	Collapse, breathing trouble, severe pain	Go in right away
Follow-up check	Signs linger past a day	A vet may check for pancreatitis or another trigger

How To Keep Dogs Away From Four O’Clocks

If your dog is a plant chewer, prevention beats late-night worry. Four o’clocks self-seed, so “one plant” can turn into a patch. The easiest wins are physical barriers and cleanup.

Cut Seed Spread

Deadhead spent blooms and seed pods before they drop. Bag them and trash them.

Block Digging At The Base

Use a short garden fence or raised edging. Digging is how dogs reach roots.

Train A Simple Leave-It

Practice with safe items indoors, then move to the yard. Reward the turn-away. Keep sessions short.

Offer Better Chew Targets

Dogs chew when they’re bored, teething, or stressed. Give chew toys that match your dog’s style, and rotate them so they stay interesting.

If Your Dog Ate Four O’Clock Seeds: A Quick Checklist

Seeds are the main worry, so it helps to have a clean checklist you can run in two minutes:

• Pick up any dropped seed pods from the area.
• Rinse paws and wipe the mouth.
• Note time, amount, and your dog’s weight.
• Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, drool, belly pain.
• Call your vet if signs start, or if a puppy/senior ate seeds.

Common Questions People Ask In The Moment

Is One Bite A Problem?

One nibble of a leaf or flower often leads to no signs or mild gut upset. Seeds and roots raise the risk.

Can A Dog Get Sick From Sniffing?

Sniffing alone is not a known trigger. Trouble starts when a dog chews or swallows plant parts, or gets sap on fur and then licks.

Do Dried Plants Still Cause Trouble?

Dried plant bits can still irritate the gut. That’s why compost piles and dried seed pods on the ground can be a source of repeat snacking.

Takeaway For Dog Owners

Four o’clocks can be toxic to dogs, with the usual outcome being digestive upset, not a life-threatening crisis. Seeds and roots are the parts to treat with the most caution. When in doubt, call your vet, share photos, and track signs over the next day.