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Pet safety

Is Cup Ginger toxic to dogs?

Hornstedtia scyphifera

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cup ginger 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. Hornstedtia scyphifera is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The Zingiberaceae (ginger family) is generally considered to have low toxicity, but without a confirmed non-toxic listing, a mildly-toxic designation is used as a conservative precaution.

What to do if your dog ate cup ginger

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

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

Is cup ginger toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is cup ginger toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cup ginger 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. Hornstedtia scyphifera is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The Zingiberaceae (ginger family) is generally considered to have low toxicity, but without a confirmed non-toxic listing, a mildly-toxic designation is used as a conservative precaution.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats cup ginger?

Hornstedtia scyphifera is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The Zingiberaceae (ginger family) is generally considered to have low toxicity, but without a confirmed non-toxic listing, a mildly-toxic designation is used as a conservative precaution. 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 cup ginger.

What should I do if my dog ate cup ginger?

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 cup ginger toxic to cats too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Cup Ginger is mildly toxic to cats as well. See the full cup ginger pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a dog-safe alternative to cup ginger?

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 cup ginger pet-safety