Pet safety
Is Vietnamese Coriandertoxic to cats & dogs?
Persicaria odorata
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- Yes — mildly
- Toxic to dogs?
- Yes — mildly
- ASPCA classification
- Mildly toxic to pets · botanical name Persicaria odorata
Is vietnamese coriander safe for cats and dogs?
Use caution. Vietnamese Coriander is on the mildly-toxic side of the ASPCA list. Most ingestions are short-lived but unpleasant for the pet; the cost-free fix is a placement they can't 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. Persicaria odorata is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, and its genus (Persicaria/Polygonum) has no ASPCA-listed members. However, related plants in the same buckwheat family (Polygonaceae) that the ASPCA does list — rhubarb, dock/sorrel and buckwheat — are all toxic to cats and dogs due to soluble calcium oxalates. With no clean genus precedent, treat it as potentially mildly toxic and verify with your vet before allowing pet access.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes (mild) | Mildly toxic to pets |
| Dogs | Yes (mild) | Mildly toxic to pets |
What happens if a pet eats vietnamese coriander?
Persicaria odorata is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, and its genus (Persicaria/Polygonum) has no ASPCA-listed members. However, related plants in the same buckwheat family (Polygonaceae) that the ASPCA does list — rhubarb, dock/sorrel and buckwheat — are all toxic to cats and dogs due to soluble calcium oxalates. With no clean genus precedent, treat it as potentially mildly toxic and verify with your vet before allowing pet access. 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 vietnamese coriander, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate vietnamese coriander
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move vietnamese coriander 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 vietnamese coriander 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 vietnamese coriander
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)
Vietnamese Coriander and pets — frequently asked questions
Is vietnamese coriander toxic to cats?
Vietnamese Coriander (Persicaria odorata) is mildly toxic to pets to cats according to the ASPCA. Persicaria odorata is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, and its genus (Persicaria/Polygonum) has no ASPCA-listed members. However, related plants in the same buckwheat family (Polygonaceae) that the ASPCA does list — rhubarb, dock/sorrel and buckwheat — are all toxic to cats and dogs due to soluble calcium oxalates. With no clean genus precedent, treat it as potentially mildly toxic and verify with your vet before allowing pet access. 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 vietnamese coriander toxic to dogs?
The ASPCA lists the same toxicity status for dogs as for cats: Vietnamese Coriander is mildly toxic to pets. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like vietnamese coriander is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats vietnamese coriander?
Persicaria odorata is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, and its genus (Persicaria/Polygonum) has no ASPCA-listed members. However, related plants in the same buckwheat family (Polygonaceae) that the ASPCA does list — rhubarb, dock/sorrel and buckwheat — are all toxic to cats and dogs due to soluble calcium oxalates. With no clean genus precedent, treat it as potentially mildly toxic and verify with your vet before allowing pet access. 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 vietnamese coriander, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate vietnamese coriander?
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 vietnamese coriander to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to vietnamese coriander?
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 vietnamese coriander care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete vietnamese coriander care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.