Is rhubarb poisonous to dogs and cats?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Call a vet today

Rhubarb is poisonous to dogs and cats – call your vet today for advice if your pet has eaten any of it. The leaves and roots are the most toxic parts.

  • Dogs Call a vet today
  • Cats Call a vet today
What to do now

What to do right now

  1. Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
  2. Note which plant, which part, how much and when your pet ate or chewed it.
  3. Take a photo or a piece of the plant with you.
  4. Remove what is left and move the plant out of reach.

Don't

  • Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.
  • Do not give any human medicine.

Why it can be dangerous

The leaves and roots are the most toxic parts.[1] Rhubarb is listed as a problem for cats and dogs.[1]

Signs to watch for

  • Stomach cramps
  • Burning in the mouth and throat
  • Headache
  • Weakness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Coma
  • Salivation or drooling
Scientific name
Rheum
Poisonous parts
leaves, roots
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

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Common questions

Which parts of rhubarb are poisonous?

The leaves and roots are the most toxic parts.[1]

Is rhubarb dangerous for cats too?

Yes. Rhubarb is listed as a problem for cats as well as dogs.[1]

What signs are listed after rhubarb exposure?

Listed signs include stomach cramps, burning in the mouth and throat, headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting, coma and salivation or drooling.[1]

Sources

  1. NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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