Garden
Is Hosta toxic to cats and dogs?
Hosta species · also called Plantain lily, funkia
Cats
Mildly toxicDogs
Mildly toxicHostas are mildly toxic to cats and dogs, causing vomiting and diarrhoea if eaten. The bigger worry is often the slug pellets used to protect them.
By Maya HartIf your pet chewed it
- Rinse your pet’s mouth with water and offer a drink.
- Most pets recover within a few hours; call your vet if drooling, vomiting or pawing at the mouth continues.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Depression and loss of appetite
What is harmful
- Parts
- Leaves, flowers and roots
- Substance
- Saponins
The details
Hostas are a staple of shady gardens, and slugs love them — which is why gardeners often scatter slug pellets around them. Pellets containing metaldehyde are extremely dangerous to dogs and cats. If you have hostas and pets, choose pet-safer slug control such as nematodes, copper tape or beer traps.
Pet-safe alternatives
- Ferns such as Boston fern
- Heuchera (coral bells)
- Astilbe
- Hardy geraniums (cranesbill)
Questions owners ask
Is Hosta toxic to cats?
Yes — mildly toxic to cats. Harmful parts: leaves, flowers and roots.
Is Hosta toxic to dogs?
Yes — mildly toxic to dogs. Harmful parts: leaves, flowers and roots.
What happens if a pet eats hosta?
vomiting, diarrhoea, depression and loss of appetite.
What should I do if my pet chewed it?
Rinse your pet’s mouth with water and offer a drink. Most pets recover within a few hours; call your vet if drooling, vomiting or pawing at the mouth continues.
What are pet-safe alternatives to hosta?
Ferns such as Boston fern, Heuchera (coral bells), Astilbe, Hardy geraniums (cranesbill).
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
