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Pet safety

Is Wood Sorrel toxic to cats?

Oxalis acetosella

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists wood sorrel as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA lists Oxalis species (shamrock plants) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses due to soluble calcium oxalates. Clinical signs include salivation, vomiting, and in large ingestions, tremors and kidney effects. Culinary use in small amounts by humans is traditional and generally considered safe at low doses (similar oxalate levels to spinach or rhubarb); however, people with gout, kidney stones, or arthritis should avoid it. Never offer to pets.

What to do if your cat ate wood sorrel

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move wood sorrel out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of wood sorrel to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten wood sorrel, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is wood sorrel toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is wood sorrel toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists wood sorrel as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. ASPCA lists Oxalis species (shamrock plants) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses due to soluble calcium oxalates. Clinical signs include salivation, vomiting, and in large ingestions, tremors and kidney effects. Culinary use in small amounts by humans is traditional and generally considered safe at low doses (similar oxalate levels to spinach or rhubarb); however, people with gout, kidney stones, or arthritis should avoid it. Never offer to pets.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats wood sorrel?

ASPCA lists Oxalis species (shamrock plants) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses due to soluble calcium oxalates. Clinical signs include salivation, vomiting, and in large ingestions, tremors and kidney effects. Culinary use in small amounts by humans is traditional and generally considered safe at low doses (similar oxalate levels to spinach or rhubarb); however, people with gout, kidney stones, or arthritis should avoid it. Never offer to pets. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to wood sorrel.

What should I do if my cat ate wood sorrel?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is wood sorrel toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Wood Sorrel is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full wood sorrel pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to wood sorrel?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full wood sorrel pet-safety