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If your dog ate greek oregano — do this now

  1. Take the plant away and clear any pieces from their mouth.
  2. Do not induce vomiting unless told to by a professional.
  3. Call your vet now. If you cannot reach one, a poison-control line will triage you — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK. Both services charge a fee.

Greek Oregano is toxic to dogs (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My dog ate Greek Oregano — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take greek oregano away and remove any plant material from your dog's mouth so they cannot eat more.
  2. Note roughly how much was eaten and when — this helps the vet judge the risk.
  3. Do NOT induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to.
  4. Call your vet, or a poison-control line — (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK. Both charge a consultation fee. Follow their advice.
  5. Watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or lethargy, and bring a leaf or photo to the appointment.

This is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide as well as the plant. When in doubt, call your vet — or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK.

My dog ate greek oregano — FAQ

Is greek oregano poisonous to dogs?

Yes — the ASPCA lists Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) as toxic to dogs. The ASPCA lists Oregano — naming Origanum vulgare hirtum, which is this plant — as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The entry reads “Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses”, with gastrointestinal irritants as the toxic principle and mild vomiting and diarrhoea as the reported effect. Verified 2026-07-29. This page previously said the opposite — that Origanum was ASPCA-listed as non-toxic — which is the reverse of what the entry says about this exact subspecies. A chewing pet typically gets an upset stomach rather than a medical emergency, but keep it out of reach and call your vet or the APCC on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK if a large amount is eaten.

How serious is it if my dog ate greek oregano?

Greek Oregano is toxic to dogs and reactions can be significant, so treat any ingestion as urgent. Call your vet, or (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK, straight away rather than waiting to see if symptoms develop.

What symptoms should I watch for?

Signs usually appear soon after chewing: drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy. The ASPCA lists Oregano — naming Origanum vulgare hirtum, which is this plant — as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The entry reads “Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses”, with gastrointestinal irritants as the toxic principle and mild vomiting and diarrhoea as the reported effect. Verified 2026-07-29. This page previously said the opposite — that Origanum was ASPCA-listed as non-toxic — which is the reverse of what the entry says about this exact subspecies. A chewing pet typically gets an upset stomach rather than a medical emergency, but keep it out of reach and call your vet or the APCC on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK if a large amount is eaten. Any worsening or persistent symptoms warrant an immediate vet visit.

Should I make my dog vomit?

No — do not induce vomiting unless a vet or a poison-control specialist specifically tells you to. The wrong action can make things worse. Call your vet, or (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK, and follow professional advice.

How do I stop this happening again?

Keep greek oregano well out of reach, or swap it for an ASPCA non-toxic plant — see the best dogs-safe plants list.

Type any plant to see what the ASPCA says about it and your dog.

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