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Pet safety

Is Greater Quaking Grass toxic to dogs?

Briza maxima

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists greater quaking grass 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. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. Not individually listed by the ASPCA on either its toxic or non-toxic plant lists, so a definitive pet-safe label cannot be given; treat with caution and verify with a vet. True grasses contain no known systemic toxin, but the dry, barbed seed awns can lodge in a pet's mouth, ears, eyes or paws and cause mechanical injury.

What to do if your dog ate greater quaking grass

  1. Remove any plant material from your dog's mouth and move greater quaking grass 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 greater quaking grass to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is greater quaking grass toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is greater quaking grass toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists greater quaking grass 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. Not individually listed by the ASPCA on either its toxic or non-toxic plant lists, so a definitive pet-safe label cannot be given; treat with caution and verify with a vet. True grasses contain no known systemic toxin, but the dry, barbed seed awns can lodge in a pet's mouth, ears, eyes or paws and cause mechanical injury.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats greater quaking grass?

Not individually listed by the ASPCA on either its toxic or non-toxic plant lists, so a definitive pet-safe label cannot be given; treat with caution and verify with a vet. True grasses contain no known systemic toxin, but the dry, barbed seed awns can lodge in a pet's mouth, ears, eyes or paws and cause mechanical injury. 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 greater quaking grass.

What should I do if my dog ate greater quaking grass?

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.

Is greater quaking grass toxic to cats too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Greater Quaking Grass is mildly toxic to cats as well. See the full greater quaking grass pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a dog-safe alternative to greater quaking grass?

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.

Full greater quaking grass pet-safety