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Pet safety

Is Hosta toxic to dogs?

Hosta spp.

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hosta 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. Mildly toxic. The ASPCA lists Hosta (Hosta plantaginea, family Liliaceae) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; the toxic principle is saponins, and the reported clinical signs — vomiting, diarrhoea and depression — are usually mild and self-limiting. North Carolina State Extension likewise states all parts of the plant are toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Keep grazing or nibbling pets away from plantings, and contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if a large amount is eaten or signs persist.

What to do if your dog ate hosta

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

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

Is hosta toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is hosta toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hosta 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. Mildly toxic. The ASPCA lists Hosta (Hosta plantaginea, family Liliaceae) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; the toxic principle is saponins, and the reported clinical signs — vomiting, diarrhoea and depression — are usually mild and self-limiting. North Carolina State Extension likewise states all parts of the plant are toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Keep grazing or nibbling pets away from plantings, and contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if a large amount is eaten or signs persist.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats hosta?

Mildly toxic. The ASPCA lists Hosta (Hosta plantaginea, family Liliaceae) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; the toxic principle is saponins, and the reported clinical signs — vomiting, diarrhoea and depression — are usually mild and self-limiting. North Carolina State Extension likewise states all parts of the plant are toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Keep grazing or nibbling pets away from plantings, and contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if a large amount is eaten or signs persist. 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 hosta.

What should I do if my dog ate hosta?

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 hosta toxic to cats too?

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

What is a dog-safe alternative to hosta?

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 hosta pet-safety