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Pet safety

Is Wood Sage toxic to dogs?

Teucrium scorodonia

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists wood 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. Teucrium scorodonia is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic plant database, but as a member of the Teucrium genus, which includes species documented to contain hepatotoxic neoclerodane diterpenoids, it is classified mildly-toxic as a precaution. Ingestion in quantity may cause gastrointestinal upset or, theoretically, liver stress; keep pets from chewing the plant.

What to do if your dog ate wood sage

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

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

Is wood sage toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is wood sage toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists wood 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. Teucrium scorodonia is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic plant database, but as a member of the Teucrium genus, which includes species documented to contain hepatotoxic neoclerodane diterpenoids, it is classified mildly-toxic as a precaution. Ingestion in quantity may cause gastrointestinal upset or, theoretically, liver stress; keep pets from chewing the plant.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats wood sage?

Teucrium scorodonia is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic plant database, but as a member of the Teucrium genus, which includes species documented to contain hepatotoxic neoclerodane diterpenoids, it is classified mildly-toxic as a precaution. Ingestion in quantity may cause gastrointestinal upset or, theoretically, liver stress; keep pets from chewing the plant. 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 wood sage.

What should I do if my dog ate wood 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 wood sage toxic to cats too?

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

What is a dog-safe alternative to wood 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 wood sage pet-safety