Cats & Dogs
Generally safeConsulted references do not classify the plant as toxic for that pet type, while still allowing for mild GI upset if large amounts are chewed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Sources
Pet safety reference
Salad Burnet
Poterium sanguisorba
Salad Burnet is a perennial herb known for its cucumber-flavored leaves often used in culinary applications. It is considered safe for household pets, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may occasionally cause minor digestive upset.
Garden BurnetPoterium sanguisorbaSanguisorba minorSmall Burnet
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Habit
- Clumping perennial
- Care
- Low
Safety status
If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.
Cats — concern notes
Common signs
None expected; however, consumption of large amounts of fibrous plant matter may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.
Escalation note
Generally considered non-toxic. If your cat consumes a large quantity and exhibits persistent gastrointestinal distress, contact your veterinarian.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
None expected; however, consumption of large amounts of fibrous plant matter may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.
Escalation note
Generally considered non-toxic. If your dog consumes a large quantity and exhibits persistent gastrointestinal distress, contact your veterinarian.
Bring it home
Salad Burnetis generally pet-safe in ordinary household exposure. If you’d like one for your space, here’s a starting point.
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Source evidence
ASPCA Toxic Plant List
toxicology · 99% reliability
Salad Burnet is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
botanical · 94% reliability
Poterium sanguisorba is a hardy perennial herb often grown in herb gardens for its edible leaves.
Questions about Salad Burnet
Is Salad Burnet toxic to cats?
Salad Burnet (Poterium sanguisorba) is considered non-toxic to cats. It is classified as generally safe, meaning no toxic principles are known that would harm your cat from a normal nibble.
What happens if my cat eats Salad Burnet?
Most cats will experience no symptoms at all. If your cat eats a large amount of the fibrous leaves, mild vomiting or diarrhea is possible due to the bulk plant matter, not any toxic compound.
How much Salad Burnet would cause a problem for my cat?
Small to moderate amounts are very unlikely to cause any reaction. Problems, if they occur, are limited to GI upset from large ingestions of fibrous plant material — the kind of upset any fibrous plant might cause, not a poisoning response.
Should I call my vet if my cat ate Salad Burnet?
A single exposure is not an emergency. If your cat ate a large quantity and shows persistent vomiting or diarrhea that does not resolve within a few hours, contact your veterinarian for guidance.
Is Salad Burnet toxic to dogs?
Salad Burnet (Poterium sanguisorba) is considered non-toxic to dogs. It is a generally safe perennial herb, and no toxic principles have been documented for this plant.
What happens if a dog eats Salad Burnet?
Most dogs will have no reaction at all. Consuming a large amount of the fibrous plant material may occasionally cause mild vomiting or diarrhea, but serious symptoms are not expected.
How much Salad Burnet would cause problems for a dog?
Small nibbles are unlikely to cause any issue. Problems, if they occur at all, are limited to mild gastrointestinal upset from eating a large quantity of fibrous plant matter — not from any toxic compound in the plant itself.
Should I call the vet if my dog ate Salad Burnet?
A small ingestion does not warrant an emergency call, but if your dog eats a large amount and shows persistent vomiting or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian. For general poison concerns you can also reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Same safety verdict
Other plants with the same verdict
Canterbury-bell
Gloxinia perennis
Canterbury-bell is a flowering perennial known for its bell-shaped blooms and is considered safe for households with pets. While non-toxic, ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort due to its fibrous nature.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Peruvian Lily
Alstroemeria aurea
Peruvian Lily is a popular flowering plant known for its vibrant, orchid-like blooms and long-lasting cut flowers. While generally considered safe for pets, it is not a food source and may cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Queensland Arrowroot
Canna edulis
Queensland Arrowroot is a tropical perennial known for its large, lush foliage and edible rhizomes. It is considered safe for pets, though its fibrous nature may cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
Garden cosmos is a daisy-like annual usually treated as a pet-safe flowering option, though any large plant ingestion can still cause mild stomach upset.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Same growing conditions
