Rhubarb is toxic to dogs

[Bearnecessity]

Hi there, I have a small garden and a jack Russell. I have a cracking rhubarb plant I was going to plant out and I have just read it is toxic to dogs and cats. I guess that growing rhubarb is a no for me then....does anyone have any experience of this?

I doubt that your dog will randomly graze on your rhubarb. There are lots of plants that are toxic to cats and dogs in gardens. I have had rhubarb and cats all my life and none of them has been poisoned.

We have rhubarb and foxgloves, our dogs have never eaten our plants. I don't know in what context dogs are driven to eating them. Maybe research that?

Can you dog proof the area? Rhubarb leaves are also toxic to humans, it’s just we wouldn’t go munching on them.

No, I am not concerned about him munching it, he doesn't eat plants. Apparently the leaves are toxic , I suppose I am concerned that just being around it may be damaging....

Rhubarb leaves are toxic to humans too. I have never had a problem with any of my animals eating rhubarb leaves, even the chickens leave them alone.

It’s the oxalis acid in the leaves that is toxic, it isn’t airborne, you (or your dog) would have to eat them to be affected.

Oxalic acid

Rhubarb leaves are poisonous for everyone.
If your dog doesn’t eat plants it’s fine as he has to eat it to be poisoned but I don’t know if I personally would be comfortable just in case.

My dog doesn’t typically eat/chew plants, or anything inedible, she’s very sensible but she will on occasion eat wild chickweed and bramble leaves on walks so basically, I personally wouldn’t just incase the normally good dog one day decides to sample it.

I grow rhubarb and my two dogs are still alive and kicking

I don't think brushing against the leaves will harm your dog. My cats have been sleeping under rhubarb leaves every summer and are still alive and well.

Brushing against the leaves is ok.
However been a dog that doesn’t eat plants can occasionally take a chew.

Rhubarb is disgusting.

I can’t imagine any animal voluntarily eating enough to harm themselves- which is more than a bit of a chew.

If you google lists of “toxic” plants you normally find nearly everything on there. Most plants will cause a bit of d&v, so get shoved on the poisonous list.

There’s relatively few you actually need to worry about.

Surely it's completely irrelevant unless they eat it? We have rhubarb in tye garden and a dog and a cat.

Thanks everyone, I think I am going to try and plant it out so my jack can't really get to it, it is good to know lots of you have dogs and rhubarb with no issues.