Pet safety
Is Chives toxic to cats & dogs?
Allium schoenoprasum
Toxic
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- Yes — toxic
- Toxic to dogs?
- Yes — toxic
- ASPCA classification
- Toxic to pets · botanical name Allium schoenoprasum
Is chives safe for cats and dogs?
Toxic — the ASPCA lists chives as a clear no for cats and dogs. The painful part for the pet is usually quick and intense; the right move is to keep it out of any room a pet roams unsupervised. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, the most widely used reference for companion-animal plant safety in the US and the standard most UK vets cite as well. ASPCA lists Allium schoenoprasum as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to N-propyl disulfide. Causes haemolytic anaemia; cooked or raw both dangerous. Cats are especially sensitive.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes | Toxic to pets |
| Dogs | Yes | Toxic to pets |
What happens if a pet eats chives?
ASPCA lists Allium schoenoprasum as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to N-propyl disulfide. Causes haemolytic anaemia; cooked or raw both dangerous. Cats are especially sensitive. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to chives, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate chives
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move chives out of reach.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
- 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 and follow their advice.
- Bring a leaf or photo of chives to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.
This page is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide rather than the plant. If you are worried, always contact a 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 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Pet-safe alternatives to chives
Want the same look without the risk? These plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA and have similar care needs:
- Basil — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Herb garden — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Rosemary — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Thyme — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
Chives and pets — frequently asked questions
Is chives toxic to cats?
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. ASPCA lists Allium schoenoprasum as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to N-propyl disulfide. Causes haemolytic anaemia; cooked or raw both dangerous. Cats are especially sensitive. Keep it out of reach and contact 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 if your cat chews it.
Is chives toxic to dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) is toxic to dogs. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like chives is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats chives?
ASPCA lists Allium schoenoprasum as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to N-propyl disulfide. Causes haemolytic anaemia; cooked or raw both dangerous. Cats are especially sensitive. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to chives, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate chives?
Stay calm. Remove any remaining plant material from your pet's mouth and take the plant away so they cannot eat more. Note roughly how much was eaten and when. Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to. 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 (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice. Bringing a photo or a leaf of chives to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to chives?
If you want a similar look without the risk, good non-toxic swaps include basil, herb garden, rosemary, thyme. All of these are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, so they suit a home where pets have access to your plants.
Full chives care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete chives care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.
Spotted a problem with your chives? Try the chives diagnosis tool — ranked causes and fixes for yellow leaves, drooping, brown spots, and other common chives problems.
Writing about plant safety? Embed our free pet-toxicity checker on your site — ASPCA-grounded verdicts for 11,000+ plants, no sign-up.