Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Northern Red Oak toxic to dogs?

Quercus rubra

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists northern red oak 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. Quercus rubra acorns and leaves contain gallotannins that are harmful to dogs, cats, and livestock if consumed in significant quantity, potentially causing gastrointestinal distress and, at high doses, kidney and liver damage. The ASPCA lists oak species as toxic to horses. Avoid planting where horses graze under the canopy; keep dogs from eating fallen acorns.

What to do if your dog ate northern red oak

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

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

Is northern red oak toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is northern red oak toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists northern red oak 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. Quercus rubra acorns and leaves contain gallotannins that are harmful to dogs, cats, and livestock if consumed in significant quantity, potentially causing gastrointestinal distress and, at high doses, kidney and liver damage. The ASPCA lists oak species as toxic to horses. Avoid planting where horses graze under the canopy; keep dogs from eating fallen acorns.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats northern red oak?

Quercus rubra acorns and leaves contain gallotannins that are harmful to dogs, cats, and livestock if consumed in significant quantity, potentially causing gastrointestinal distress and, at high doses, kidney and liver damage. The ASPCA lists oak species as toxic to horses. Avoid planting where horses graze under the canopy; keep dogs from eating fallen acorns. 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 northern red oak.

What should I do if my dog ate northern red oak?

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 northern red oak toxic to cats too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Northern Red Oak is mildly toxic to cats as well. See the full northern red oak pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a dog-safe alternative to northern red oak?

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 northern red oak pet-safety