Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My dog ate Rhubarb - what should I do?
Rheum rhabarbarum
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Excessive salivation, abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, and potential renal failure in severe cases.
Escalation note
The leaves are considered toxic to dogs. Seek veterinary attention promptly if your dog has consumed any part of the plant.
What to watch for
Excessive salivation and vomiting begin shortly after ingestion, followed by lethargy, weakness, abdominal pain, and sometimes diarrhea. Watch for muscle tremors (from low blood calcium) and, 24 to 36 hours later, signs of acute kidney injury such as changes in drinking and urination, lethargy, and decreased appetite.
Time window
Drooling, vomiting, and weakness within hours of ingestion; tremors as blood calcium drops; acute kidney injury signs typically appear 24 to 36 hours after ingestion.
When to call the vet
Call your vet if your dog ate any rhubarb leaf, especially in quantity. Call right away — don't wait — if you see tremors, repeated vomiting, blood in vomit or stool, or any change in urination over the next two days. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.
What this means for your dog
Dogs that get into the rhubarb patch face risk from the leaves, not the stalks — the leaves are loaded with soluble calcium oxalates that can cause both immediate GI distress and delayed kidney injury. Dogs are more likely than cats to chew through large amounts in one sitting, which raises the dose-related risk substantially.
Sources: ASPCA, NC State Extension (no first-aid guidance for owners).
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.