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Pet safety

Is Motherwort toxic to dogs?

Leonurus cardiaca

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists motherwort 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 in the ASPCA Toxic/Non-Toxic Plants database, so its pet status is not formally established; treat with caution and verify with a vet. There are no documented poisoning reports in pets and it is used in some animal herbal formulations, but absence of an ASPCA listing means safety cannot be asserted. The spiny flower bracts can also irritate skin and mouths, so do not treat it as confirmed pet-safe.

What to do if your dog ate motherwort

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

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

Is motherwort toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is motherwort toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists motherwort 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 in the ASPCA Toxic/Non-Toxic Plants database, so its pet status is not formally established; treat with caution and verify with a vet. There are no documented poisoning reports in pets and it is used in some animal herbal formulations, but absence of an ASPCA listing means safety cannot be asserted. The spiny flower bracts can also irritate skin and mouths, so do not treat it as confirmed pet-safe.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats motherwort?

Not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic/Non-Toxic Plants database, so its pet status is not formally established; treat with caution and verify with a vet. There are no documented poisoning reports in pets and it is used in some animal herbal formulations, but absence of an ASPCA listing means safety cannot be asserted. The spiny flower bracts can also irritate skin and mouths, so do not treat it as confirmed pet-safe. 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 motherwort.

What should I do if my dog ate motherwort?

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 motherwort toxic to cats too?

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

What is a dog-safe alternative to motherwort?

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 motherwort pet-safety