Is Ginkgo 'Autumn Gold' toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists ginkgo 'autumn gold' 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. Ginkgo is not individually listed on the ASPCA database. The toxic principle is ginkgotoxin (4-O-methylpyridoxine), concentrated in the seeds of female trees; ingestion can cause vomiting, irritability, and seizures in pets. 'Autumn Gold' is a fruitless male clone that sets no seed, so this primary hazard is largely absent, but without ASPCA grounding treat it with caution and verify with a vet if a pet ingests plant material.

Ginkgo is not individually listed on the ASPCA database. The toxic principle is ginkgotoxin (4-O-methylpyridoxine), concentrated in the seeds of female trees; ingestion can cause vomiting, irritability, and seizures in pets. 'Autumn Gold' is a fruitless male clone that sets no seed, so this primary hazard is largely absent, but without ASPCA grounding treat it with caution and verify with a vet if a pet ingests plant material. 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 ginkgo 'autumn gold'.

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: Ginkgo 'Autumn Gold' is mildly toxic to cats as well. See the full ginkgo 'autumn gold' 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.