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Pet safety

Is Pitcher Sage toxic to dogs?

Salvia spathacea

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists pitcher sage 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. Salvia spathacea is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The ASPCA classifies Salvia officinalis (common sage) as non-toxic, but individual ASPCA data for S. spathacea is absent. The aromatic essential oils present in the foliage may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested by pets. A precautionary mildly-toxic classification is applied.

What to do if your dog ate pitcher sage

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

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

Is pitcher sage toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is pitcher sage toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists pitcher sage 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. Salvia spathacea is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The ASPCA classifies Salvia officinalis (common sage) as non-toxic, but individual ASPCA data for S. spathacea is absent. The aromatic essential oils present in the foliage may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested by pets. A precautionary mildly-toxic classification is applied.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats pitcher sage?

Salvia spathacea is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The ASPCA classifies Salvia officinalis (common sage) as non-toxic, but individual ASPCA data for S. spathacea is absent. The aromatic essential oils present in the foliage may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested by pets. A precautionary mildly-toxic classification is applied. 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 pitcher sage.

What should I do if my dog ate pitcher sage?

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 pitcher sage toxic to cats too?

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

What is a dog-safe alternative to pitcher sage?

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 pitcher sage pet-safety