Pet safety
Is Common Gingertoxic to cats & dogs?
Zingiber officinale
Mildly toxic
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- Yes — mildly
- Toxic to dogs?
- Yes — mildly
- ASPCA classification
- Mildly toxic to pets · botanical name Zingiber officinale
Is common ginger safe for cats and dogs?
Not entirely — common ginger is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. It rarely causes serious harm, but chewing it triggers real discomfort, so keep it out of a pet's reach. 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. Zingiber officinale is not individually listed under its botanical name on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. VCA Animal Hospitals and multiple veterinary sources note ginger is safe in small amounts for cats and dogs and is used medicinally in veterinary practice; however, large quantities may cause gastrointestinal upset, and ginger should be avoided in animals with bleeding disorders, gallbladder disease, or those that are pregnant. Classified here as mildly-toxic in the absence of an explicit ASPCA 'non-toxic' listing — consult your vet before intentional use.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes (mild) | Mildly toxic to pets |
| Dogs | Yes (mild) | Mildly toxic to pets |
What happens if a pet eats common ginger?
Zingiber officinale is not individually listed under its botanical name on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. VCA Animal Hospitals and multiple veterinary sources note ginger is safe in small amounts for cats and dogs and is used medicinally in veterinary practice; however, large quantities may cause gastrointestinal upset, and ginger should be avoided in animals with bleeding disorders, gallbladder disease, or those that are pregnant. Classified here as mildly-toxic in the absence of an explicit ASPCA 'non-toxic' listing — consult your vet before intentional use. 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 common ginger, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate common ginger
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move common ginger 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 and follow their advice.
- Bring a leaf or photo of common ginger 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 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Pet-safe alternatives to common ginger
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:
- Cucumber — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Lettuce — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Bean — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Pea — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
Common Ginger and pets — frequently asked questions
Is common ginger toxic to cats?
Common Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is mildly toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Zingiber officinale is not individually listed under its botanical name on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. VCA Animal Hospitals and multiple veterinary sources note ginger is safe in small amounts for cats and dogs and is used medicinally in veterinary practice; however, large quantities may cause gastrointestinal upset, and ginger should be avoided in animals with bleeding disorders, gallbladder disease, or those that are pregnant. Classified here as mildly-toxic in the absence of an explicit ASPCA 'non-toxic' listing — consult your vet before intentional use. Keep it out of reach and contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if your cat chews it.
Is common ginger toxic to dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Common Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is mildly toxic to dogs. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like common ginger is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats common ginger?
Zingiber officinale is not individually listed under its botanical name on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. VCA Animal Hospitals and multiple veterinary sources note ginger is safe in small amounts for cats and dogs and is used medicinally in veterinary practice; however, large quantities may cause gastrointestinal upset, and ginger should be avoided in animals with bleeding disorders, gallbladder disease, or those that are pregnant. Classified here as mildly-toxic in the absence of an explicit ASPCA 'non-toxic' listing — consult your vet before intentional use. 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 common ginger, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate common ginger?
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 (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice. Bringing a photo or a leaf of common ginger to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to common ginger?
If you want a similar look without the risk, good non-toxic swaps include cucumber, lettuce, bean, pea. 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 common ginger care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete common ginger care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.