Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Violet-Flowered Sage toxic to dogs?

Salvia iodantha

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists violet-flowered 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 iodantha is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic Plant database. As a member of the Salvia genus it contains volatile terpenoid essential oils that can cause mild gastrointestinal irritation (drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea) in cats and dogs if plant material is ingested in significant quantities; classified mildly-toxic by precaution in the absence of a confirmed ASPCA non-toxic species listing.

What to do if your dog ate violet-flowered sage

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

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

Is violet-flowered sage toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is violet-flowered sage toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists violet-flowered 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 iodantha is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic Plant database. As a member of the Salvia genus it contains volatile terpenoid essential oils that can cause mild gastrointestinal irritation (drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea) in cats and dogs if plant material is ingested in significant quantities; classified mildly-toxic by precaution in the absence of a confirmed ASPCA non-toxic species listing.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats violet-flowered sage?

Salvia iodantha is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic Plant database. As a member of the Salvia genus it contains volatile terpenoid essential oils that can cause mild gastrointestinal irritation (drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea) in cats and dogs if plant material is ingested in significant quantities; classified mildly-toxic by precaution in the absence of a confirmed ASPCA non-toxic species listing. 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 violet-flowered sage.

What should I do if my dog ate violet-flowered 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 violet-flowered sage toxic to cats too?

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

What is a dog-safe alternative to violet-flowered 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 violet-flowered sage pet-safety