Pet emergency
My dog ate Rough Chervil — what to do
Step by step
- Take rough chervil away and remove any plant material from your dog's mouth so they cannot eat more.
- Note roughly how much was eaten and when — this helps the vet judge the risk.
- Do NOT induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to.
- Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice.
- 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.
My dog ate rough chervil — FAQ
Is rough chervil poisonous to dogs?
Yes — the ASPCA lists Rough Chervil (Chaerophyllum temulum) as toxic to dogs. Chaerophyllum temulum contains toxic alkaloids and furanocoumarins. The plant causes gastrointestinal inflammation, drowsiness, vertigo, and cardiac weakness if ingested; the sap causes phototoxic skin irritation (contact dermatitis) on exposed skin in sunlight. It is toxic to livestock, people, and pets. It must not be confused with edible Anthriscus cerefolium (culinary chervil), which is ASPCA-listed non-toxic. Chaerophyllum temulum itself does not appear on the ASPCA database; it is classified as toxic based on documented veterinary and horticultural toxicity reports.
How serious is it if my dog ate rough chervil?
Rough Chervil is toxic to dogs and reactions can be significant, so treat any ingestion as urgent. Call your vet or poison control on (888) 426-4435 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. Chaerophyllum temulum contains toxic alkaloids and furanocoumarins. The plant causes gastrointestinal inflammation, drowsiness, vertigo, and cardiac weakness if ingested; the sap causes phototoxic skin irritation (contact dermatitis) on exposed skin in sunlight. It is toxic to livestock, people, and pets. It must not be confused with edible Anthriscus cerefolium (culinary chervil), which is ASPCA-listed non-toxic. Chaerophyllum temulum itself does not appear on the ASPCA database; it is classified as toxic based on documented veterinary and horticultural toxicity reports. 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 the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center specifically tells you to. The wrong action can make things worse. Call (888) 426-4435 and follow professional advice.
How do I stop this happening again?
Keep rough chervil well out of reach, or swap it for an ASPCA non-toxic plant — see the best dogs-safe plants list.
Related
- Is rough chervil toxic to dogs? — full toxicity detail
- Rough Chervil and pets — the complete ASPCA pet-safety guide