What should I do if my cat ate French Sorrel?

Remove any remaining plant material and offer fresh water. Do not induce vomiting at home. Note the time and approximate amount ingested for the vet — soluble-oxalate cases need bloodwork and possibly IV fluids when the dose is more than minimal. Call if you saw your cat eat more than a single bite, if you notice tremors, weakness, or seizure-like behavior, or if any GI signs persist for more than a few hours. For a single small bite with brief, mild GI upset, monitor closely and call if anything changes.

What should I do if my dog ate French Sorrel?

Take the plant away and give your dog access to fresh water. Do not induce vomiting at home. Note how much was eaten and when, and bring a sample of the plant to the vet if possible — bloodwork and IV fluids are the mainstays of treatment for larger ingestions. Call right away if your dog ate more than a small mouthful, if you see tremors, weakness, or any change in urination, or if GI signs don't settle within a few hours. Small bites in a healthy dog usually warrant monitoring rather than an ER trip — but call if you're unsure.

French Sorrel — (c) Nuuuuuuuuuuul, some rights reserved (CC BY) — Photo by (c) Nuuuuuuuuuuul, some rights reserved (CC BY)iNaturalistCC BY

Photo by (c) Nuuuuuuuuuuul, some rights reserved (CC BY)iNaturalistCC BY

Pet safety reference

French Sorrel

Q: Is French Sorrel safe for cats?

French Sorrel is potentially toxic to cats. The presence of soluble calcium oxalates can cause irritation to the mouth and digestive tract. Please contact your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has ingested this plant.

Q: Is French Sorrel safe for dogs?

French Sorrel is potentially toxic to dogs. Ingestion of significant amounts may lead to more severe systemic effects due to oxalate absorption. Always consult a veterinarian if ingestion occurs.

Rumex scutatus

French Sorrel is a perennial herb often grown for its tangy, edible leaves, but it contains soluble calcium oxalates that can be harmful to pets if ingested in quantity. It is characterized by its shield-shaped foliage and low-growing habit.

Check a list

Garden sorrelRumex scutatusShield-leaf sorrelSorrel

Light: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Low-growing, clumping perennial
Care: Low

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted 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

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

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

Oral irritation, excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and potential vomiting.

Escalation note

The presence of soluble calcium oxalates can cause irritation to the mouth and digestive tract. Please contact your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has ingested this plant.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Oral irritation, intense burning or swelling of the lips and tongue, drooling, and gastrointestinal upset.

Escalation note

Ingestion of significant amounts may lead to more severe systemic effects due to oxalate absorption. Always consult a veterinarian if ingestion occurs.

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

Open source

Sorrel (Rumex scutatus) is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs due to the presence of soluble calcium oxalates.

Plants of the World Online (Kew)

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted botanical name and distribution data for Rumex scutatus L.

cats safety page My cat ate French Sorrel dogs safety page My dog ate French Sorrel

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French Sorrel vs Dock

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