Cats
Potentially toxicConsulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Sources
cat safety reference
Is Rhubarb safe for cats?
Rheum rhabarbarum
Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable known for its edible stalks, but its leaves contain high levels of soluble oxalate crystals that are harmful if ingested. It is widely grown in gardens for culinary use but requires caution regarding pet access to the foliage.
Pie PlantRheum rhabarbarum
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Habit
- Clumping herbaceous perennial
- Care
- Moderate
Safety status
What this means for your cat
Cats rarely choose to eat rhubarb, but if one nibbles the leaves it can develop calcium oxalate poisoning — the leaves carry very high levels of soluble oxalates while the cooked stalk we eat is virtually non-toxic. Cats are small enough that even a modest leaf ingestion can produce real injury.
What to watch for
Heavy drooling, vomiting, weakness, and reduced appetite within hours of eating leaf tissue; muscle tremors as blood calcium drops. Watch over the next day or two for changes in drinking and urination, blood in urine, and lethargy as signs of acute kidney injury.
Time window
GI signs and tremors appear within hours of ingestion; signs of acute kidney injury — abnormal urination, blood in urine, azotemia — typically develop 24 to 36 hours after ingestion.
When to call the vet
Call your vet immediately if your cat ate any rhubarb leaf (the stalk alone is not the concern). Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 to guide decontamination, and don't wait for tremors or kidney signs to appear.
Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance for owners).
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
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and potential kidney damage due to calcium oxalate crystals.
Escalation note
Ingestion of leaves can be serious. Please contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately if ingestion is suspected.
Safer alternatives
No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.
Source evidence
ASPCA Toxic Plant List
toxicology · 99% reliability
Rhubarb contains soluble calcium oxalates which can cause kidney failure in pets.
Same cat verdict
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