Is Stinging Nettle poisonous to dogs and cats?
Call a vet todayStinging Nettle is poisonous to dogs – call your vet today for advice if your pet has eaten any of it. Our sources do not list it for cats, which is not proof that it is safe for them. The plant’s hairs are listed as the poisonous part.
- Dogs Call a vet today
- Cats Not listed in our sources – that is not proof that it is safe
What to do right now
- Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
- Note which plant, which part, how much and when.
- Remove what is left and move the plant out of reach.
- Take a photo or a piece of the plant with you.
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
When Stinging Nettle is chewed, its surface hairs can poke the skin and mouth and release toxic plant compounds.[1]
Signs to watch for
Signs such as oral swelling and itching can start rapidly.
- Scientific name
- Urtica
- Poisonous parts
- hairs
Not sure how serious it is?
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Common questions
Which part of Stinging Nettle is poisonous?
The listed poisonous part is the hairs. Stinging hairs are on the surface of the leaves and stems.[1][2]
Is Stinging Nettle dangerous for cats too?
Urtica spp. is listed for dogs and humans, not cats. That is not proof it is safe for cats.[2]
What happens when an animal chews it?
The hairs can poke the skin and mouth and release toxic plant compounds.[1]
Sources
- Pet Poison Helpline
- Cornell University Dept. of Animal Science - Plants Poisonous to Livestock and other Animals
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