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Pet safety

Is Quaking Grass toxic to dogs?

Briza media

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists quaking grass 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. Briza media is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database, so a pet-safe status cannot be confirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. As with grasses generally, ingesting large amounts of foliage or seedheads may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in cats and dogs.

What to do if your dog ate quaking grass

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

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

Is quaking grass toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is quaking grass toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists quaking grass 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. Briza media is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database, so a pet-safe status cannot be confirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. As with grasses generally, ingesting large amounts of foliage or seedheads may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in cats and dogs.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats quaking grass?

Briza media is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database, so a pet-safe status cannot be confirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. As with grasses generally, ingesting large amounts of foliage or seedheads may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in cats and dogs. 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 quaking grass.

What should I do if my dog ate quaking grass?

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 quaking grass toxic to cats too?

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

What is a dog-safe alternative to quaking grass?

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 quaking grass pet-safety