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Pet safety

Is Wood Vetch toxic to dogs?

Vicia sylvatica

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists wood vetch 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. Vicia sylvatica is not individually listed in the ASPCA database. Seeds of Vicia species contain cyanogenic glycosides and other potentially harmful compounds; ingestion of significant quantities by cats or dogs may cause gastrointestinal upset. Mildly-toxic is the appropriate precautionary classification for this genus.

What to do if your dog ate wood vetch

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

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

Is wood vetch toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is wood vetch toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists wood vetch 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. Vicia sylvatica is not individually listed in the ASPCA database. Seeds of Vicia species contain cyanogenic glycosides and other potentially harmful compounds; ingestion of significant quantities by cats or dogs may cause gastrointestinal upset. Mildly-toxic is the appropriate precautionary classification for this genus.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats wood vetch?

Vicia sylvatica is not individually listed in the ASPCA database. Seeds of Vicia species contain cyanogenic glycosides and other potentially harmful compounds; ingestion of significant quantities by cats or dogs may cause gastrointestinal upset. Mildly-toxic is the appropriate precautionary classification for this genus. 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 vetch.

What should I do if my dog ate wood vetch?

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 vetch toxic to cats too?

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

What is a dog-safe alternative to wood vetch?

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 vetch pet-safety