Suspect poisoning? US: ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 · UK: 01202 509 000 · Severe symptoms → nearest emergency vet now.

My 15 kg dog on heart medication ate a taco with a cilantro garnish. Is cilantro safe with his meds, or could it interact?

Dogs · Food safety

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

Short answer

Cilantro itself is safe and won't interact with heart meds. The risk is the other taco ingredients — onions, garlic, or heavy salt can be problems. Check if the taco had those. A few sprigs of cilantro are fine, but watch for vomiting or diarrhea from the rich food. Offer him some plain water to drink. If he acts unusually tired or loses his appetite over the next day, call your vet and mention the whole meal, not just the cilantro. Stick to his regular diet to avoid upsetting his medication schedule.

Cilantro — Food safety facts

Safe to share · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

Safe in small amounts. Not the same plant as toxic lookalikes such as hemlock.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Safe to share), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Cilantro is not toxic to dogs. The real limit is calories, fat and salt, so treat it as a small extra alongside the normal ration rather than a meal in itself.

There is no poisoning risk here, and the usual problem is simply eating too much at once: a heavy fat or salt load can bring on loose stools or a single vomit. Offer water, keep an eye on the pet for 24 hours, and do not induce vomiting.

Cilantro can stay on the rotation, but only as an extra mouthful: keep the rest of the day's food unchanged and watch the next walk and the stool that comes with it.

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

Open the full food page: Cilantro food facts →