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Pet safety

Is Water Avens toxic to dogs?

Geum rivale

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists water avens 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. Geum rivale is not individually listed by the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant database; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The roots contain tannins (historically used medicinally) but no acutely toxic principle is documented; ingestion may still cause mild stomach upset in pets.

What to do if your dog ate water avens

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

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

Is water avens toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is water avens toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists water avens 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. Geum rivale is not individually listed by the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant database; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The roots contain tannins (historically used medicinally) but no acutely toxic principle is documented; ingestion may still cause mild stomach upset in pets.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats water avens?

Geum rivale is not individually listed by the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant database; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The roots contain tannins (historically used medicinally) but no acutely toxic principle is documented; ingestion may still cause mild stomach upset in pets. 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 water avens.

What should I do if my dog ate water avens?

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 water avens toxic to cats too?

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

What is a dog-safe alternative to water avens?

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 water avens pet-safety