Shamrock Plant

Yes, the shamrock plant (Oxalis spp.) is potentially toxic to cats. It contains soluble calcium oxalates, which can cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and decreased appetite if ingested.

For small exposures, expect drooling, vomiting, mild diarrhea, and a brief loss of appetite — usually starting within a few hours and easing within 24 hours. Larger ingestions can cause weakness, tremors, lethargy, and bloody diarrhea as blood calcium drops; renal failure is rare but possible after a large amount.

Do not induce vomiting. Remove any remaining plant material and rinse fragments from your cat's mouth and paws, then call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away. Call immediately if your cat ate more than a leaf or two, or if you see weakness, tremors, repeated vomiting, or blood in vomit or stool.

Oxalis plants contain soluble calcium oxalates, which bind to calcium in the body when ingested in large quantities. This can lower blood calcium levels and, in significant exposures, potentially affect the kidneys — though severe systemic effects are more likely after large ingestions than a casual nibble.

Yes, the shamrock plant (Oxalis spp.) is potentially toxic to dogs. It contains soluble calcium oxalates that irritate the mouth and digestive tract. Even a small amount can cause drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

After chewing on a shamrock plant, expect drooling, mild vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and a pause in appetite within a few hours. Larger ingestions can produce diarrhea (sometimes bloody), tremors, weakness, and lethargy as calcium levels drop; acute kidney injury is uncommon but possible after a large amount is eaten.

Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a vet. Clear any remaining plant material from your dog's mouth and rinse fragments off the paws and muzzle, then call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian before any further home treatment. Call immediately if your dog ate more than a couple of leaves, or if you see tremors, weakness, repeated vomiting, or blood in vomit or stool.

Vomiting and drooling typically start within a few hours of ingestion. Most small exposures resolve within 24 hours, but systemic signs from a larger dose — such as tremors, weakness, or diarrhea — can develop over the first day. Small breeds and puppies are at higher risk and should be seen by a vet sooner than large adult dogs.