Is rhubarb leaves poisonous to dogs

The quick answer: Use caution. The stalks may be safe, but the leaves are poisonous to pets. With an appearance similar to asx:nvx, the red and green stalks of the rhubarb plant are typically harvested in spring or early summer.

Rhubarb is a common plant grown for edible consumption, and is also known as the pie plant. The leaves contain soluble oxalate crystals, with less of the crystals being prevalent in the stalk. Rhubarb is a soluble oxalate-containing plants contain oxalic acid and oxalate salts, and must be differentiated from insoluble oxalate plants which are less toxic. Examples of other soluble calcium oxalate-containing plants include: star fruit and the shamrock plant. In general, soluble calcium oxalate poisoning is more commonly associated with large animals from livestock chronically grazing. However, when ingested in large enough quantities in small animals, it can result in poisoning in dogs, cats, and even humans. Soluble calcium oxalates are present in varying degrees in all parts of the plant.

Is rhubarb leaves poisonous to dogs

Whether baking it into a pie, crumble, or cooking it down into a tasty preserve, you may be wondering if it's safe to share your rhubarb with your four-pawed pal. But is rhubarb poisonous to dogs , or can dogs eat rhubarb without any nasty repercussions? Yes, rhubarb is toxic to dogs. It contains soluble oxalate crystals, which can cause serious illness if eaten. Soluble oxalate is absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream and goes on to damage organs within the body using the blood as a highway. Plants that contain soluble oxalate are therefore more dangerous than those containing in soluble oxalate found in other plants , causing whole-body symptoms rather than just at the site of chewing and swallowing as does the insoluble form. Are rhubarb leaves poisonous to dogs, too? Yes - while all parts of the rhubarb plant contain these nasty, pooch-harming crystals, the leaves contain the highest concentration, making them the most toxic part of the plant. Eating them can cause a sudden drop in calcium - and a whole host of nasty, unpleasant symptoms. According to the Pet Poison Helpline , the most common symptoms of rhubarb poisoning to watch out for include:. Consuming rhubarb, which contains soluble oxalate crystals, results in the absorption of the crystals from the stomach into the bloodstream where it binds to calcium in the blood to form insoluble calcium oxalate. These newly formed insoluble crystals travel around the body within the blood, causing irritation, swelling, and damage. The first symptoms are usually related to damage at the site of toxin absorption and calcium oxalate formation, the gastrointestinal system. As the toxin moves around the body and the levels of toxin increase in the body, the symptoms worsen and progress.

Pet insurance can help cover the costs of veterinary care for future illnesses and injuries. However, large amounts can cause acute renal failure kidney failure or damage and even life-threatening loss of body cell function leading to seizures and possibly death.

Should you be worried if your dog eats some rhubarb plant, and can dogs eat rhubarb safely? If your dog manages to munch some rhubarb leaves, they can suffer from gastrointestinal illness including stomach cramps, vomiting , and diarrhoea , as well as other symptoms such as excessive drooling and lethargy. However, we humans only eat the stems and stalks of rhubarb plants. So is the edible stem safer for our furry friends to eat? Discover delicious food your dog deserves Learn more. Again, not really.

As a holistic veterinarian and a dog parent myself, I understand the constant worry about what our furry friends can and cannot eat. You might be wondering, is rhubarb leaves toxic to dogs? Rhubarb leaves contain a high concentration of oxalic acid, a substance that can be dangerous to our furry friends. Oxalic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in many plants, including the leaves of the rhubarb plant. This can result in severe health complications such as kidney failure and even death.

Is rhubarb leaves poisonous to dogs

If you own a dog, one of your most important jobs is monitoring what your dog eats. If you have owned a dog for a while, you are probably well aware that they are opportunistic eaters. This means that whenever a dog picks up an interesting aroma, they will most likely go and investigate. This is why dogs commonly rummage through the trash, or spend 30 minutes tracking one mole in the ground. While having an indoor cat might seem like there is less risk, this is not always the case. The main danger for an indoor dog is the kitchen, where all types of food can land on the floor. While most human foods will not be poisonous to dogs in small amounts, this is not always the case. The stalk of rhubarb is not toxic to dogs, but like anything if consumed in high quantities it can cause an upset stomach in your dog. That being said, the leaves of a rhubarb plant are very poisonous to dogs. Rhubarb plants are toxic because they contain a compound called oxalic acid.

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Read on as we get to the bottom…. Non-necessary Non-necessary. Featured Posts. Is your furry feline feeling a bit Call now: Speak to an expert now: 85 incident fee applies. Get Your Quote. If your dog manages to munch some rhubarb leaves, they can suffer from gastrointestinal illness including stomach cramps, vomiting , and diarrhoea , as well as other symptoms such as excessive drooling and lethargy. Rhubarb is a common plant grown for edible consumption, and is also known as the pie plant. Discover delicious food your dog deserves Learn more. Benefits of rhubarb Rhubarb stalks contain dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, manganese, and magnesium. The stalks may be safe, but the leaves are poisonous to pets.

Whether it is the raw leaves, the stalks, or in a jam or pie, can dogs eat rhubarb?

What Can My Dog Eat? By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from:. June 29, Low blood calcium levels can ultimately lead to kidney failure. Is your furry feline feeling a bit Emails are serviced by Constant Contact. Rhubarb is a common plant grown for edible consumption, and is also known as the pie plant. But is rhubarb poisonous to dogs , or can dogs eat rhubarb without any nasty repercussions? Get Your Quote. We use cookies for our legitimate interests of providing you with personalized content, enabling you to more easily use our website, evaluating use of our website, and assisting with ad reporting functions. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly.