Can pets eat rhubarb?
Rhubarb
Toxic — treat as an emergency
Dogs: Not safe · Cats: Not safe · Rabbits: Toxic
By animal
| Animal | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs | Not safe | The leaves are high in oxalic acid, which binds calcium and can damage the kidneys. |
| Cats | Not safe | Same. |
| Rabbits | Toxic | Rabbits are more likely to encounter it in a garden and more likely to be harmed. |
What it actually does
Rhubarb leaves contain enough soluble oxalate to bind circulating calcium, producing tremors, drooling and, in quantity, kidney damage. The stalks are much lower in oxalate and are what people eat. The realistic exposure is a garden one — a dog or rabbit with access to a rhubarb patch — rather than a slice of crumble.
No reliable dose threshold has been published for this. Anything presenting a specific safe amount is extrapolating.
Body weight decides almost everything here, so what is trivial for a 40 kg dog can matter for a 4 kg one, and a bird is smaller again. Where a real published threshold exists this page gives it; where none does, it says so rather than inventing one.
Vegetables
| Food | Worst verdict | Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onion, garlic, leek and chives | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic |
| Carrot | In moderation | Safe | Safe |
| Corn on the cob | Not safe | Not safe | Risky |
| Mushrooms | Risky | Risky | Risky |
| Tomato | Risky | Risky | Risky |
| Pumpkin | In moderation | Safe | Safe |
| Potato | Not safe | Risky | Risky |
| Lettuce and leafy greens | Risky | Safe | Safe |
| Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower | Risky | In moderation | In moderation |
| Peas, green beans and sweetcorn kernels | Risky | Safe | Safe |
Common questions
- Can dogs eat rhubarb?
- Not safe. The leaves are high in oxalic acid, which binds calcium and can damage the kidneys.
- Can cats eat rhubarb?
- Not safe. Same.
- What does rhubarb actually do?
- Rhubarb leaves contain enough soluble oxalate to bind circulating calcium, producing tremors, drooling and, in quantity, kidney damage. The stalks are much lower in oxalate and are what people eat. The realistic exposure is a garden one — a dog or rabbit with access to a rhubarb patch — rather than a slice of crumble.
Related pages
- Can pets eat onion, garlic, leek and chives? Toxic — treat as an emergency
- Can pets eat carrot? Fine in small amounts
- Can pets eat corn on the cob? Not safe
- Can pets eat mushrooms? Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- Can pets eat tomato? Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- Can pets eat pumpkin? Fine in small amounts
- Can pets eat chocolate? Also an emergency
- Can pets eat grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants? Also an emergency
- Can pets eat onion, garlic, leek and chives? Also an emergency
- Can pets eat xylitol and birch sugar? Also an emergency
- Everything, for dogs 46 foods
- Everything, for cats 46 foods