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Is rhubarb toxic to dogs and cats?

Dogs & cats · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

Yes. The leaves of rhubarb contain very high levels of oxalates, which can cause kidney failure, and even the stems are risky if a lot is eaten. Signs usually start with drooling, vomiting and weakness within hours. Keep rhubarb plants out of the garden or fence them off, and call a vet if any part is eaten.

Rhubarb — Food safety facts

Do not feed · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

Leaves contain high levels of oxalates that can cause kidney failure; the stems are also risky in quantity. Keep rhubarb away from pets.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Do not feed), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Rhubarb should not be given to dogs at all. Even a small amount can do harm, so there is no portion small enough to be safe.

Do not induce vomiting and do not give milk or oil to “dilute” it. Note the food and roughly how much was eaten, then call your vet or a pet poison hotline and follow their advice on whether to bring the pet in straight away.

Why these cautions matter

A heavy salt load drives up thirst and urination, and in the worst cases leads to sodium ion poisoning, which is a genuine emergency.

Rhubarb has no place in everyday feeding: keep the rest of the day's food unchanged after this and watch the next walk and the stool that comes with it.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Rhubarb food facts page.

Open the full food page: Rhubarb food facts →