Is Clethra barbinervis toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists clethra barbinervis as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Clethra barbinervis is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database, so its status is uncertain; treat with caution, keep pets from chewing it, and verify with a vet if ingestion occurs. No serious poisoning is documented, but absence of an ASPCA listing means safety cannot be asserted.

Clethra barbinervis is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database, so its status is uncertain; treat with caution, keep pets from chewing it, and verify with a vet if ingestion occurs. No serious poisoning is documented, but absence of an ASPCA listing means safety cannot be asserted. 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 dog has had access to clethra barbinervis.

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your dog'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.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Clethra barbinervis is mildly toxic to cats as well. See the full clethra barbinervis pet-safety guide for both species.

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