Is Salvia Toxic to Dogs? Sage Safety for Gardens

The Short Answer

No, the salvias the ASPCA lists are not toxic to dogs. The ASPCA rates common sage (Salvia officinalis) and scarlet sage, also called Texas sage (Salvia coccinea) as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

So if your dog chewed the sage in your herb pot or nibbled a red salvia in the border, you can usually relax.

There is one important catch. A completely different plant is also sold as "sage," and that one is toxic. We will get to it in a moment, because it is the main reason this question deserves a careful answer.

Why Salvia Is Considered Safe

Salvia is a large genus in the mint family (Lamiaceae), ranging from kitchen sage to the bright ornamental spikes used in summer bedding. The ASPCA's entries for common sage and scarlet sage list them as non-toxic, with no toxic principles noted.

"Non-toxic" means the plant has no known compound that damages a dog's organs or nervous system. It does not mean a dog can eat a whole shrub without consequences. Large amounts of any plant material can cause:

• Mild vomiting
• Soft stool or diarrhea for a day
• A bit of drooling or lip-licking

These signs come from fiber and irritation, not poisoning, and they usually settle on their own.

The "Sage" That Is Toxic: Lantana

Here is the plant to watch for. The ASPCA lists Lantana camara under the common names shrub verbena, yellow sage, and red sage, and rates it toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

According to the ASPCA, lantana contains pentacyclic triterpenoids, and signs can include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Labored breathing
• Weakness

The ASPCA notes that liver failure is more common in livestock. Lantana is not a salvia at all. It belongs to the verbena family. But a plant tag that just says "red sage" could mean either one, which is why the scientific name on the label matters more than the common name.

If your dog ate a plant labeled "yellow sage" or "red sage," treat it as lantana until you confirm otherwise, and call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Culinary Sage and Dog Food

Garden sage is the herb most people cook with, and the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic. A leaf that falls on the kitchen floor is not a problem.

The dishes sage goes into are a different story. Stuffing, sausage, and roast dressings often include onions, garlic, butter, and salt. The ASPCA includes onions, garlic, and chives on its list of people foods to avoid feeding pets. So share the plain herb if you like, but keep the holiday stuffing on your own plate.

Signs to Watch For

After a nibble of true salvia, expect little or nothing. Call your vet if you see:

• Vomiting that continues past a few hours
• Diarrhea with blood, or diarrhea lasting into a second day
• Labored breathing, weakness, or wobbliness
• Refusing water or food
• Lethargy that seems out of character

Those signs go beyond what you would expect from a non-toxic plant. They may mean your dog ate lantana, another toxic plant, or something applied to the bed, such as insecticide, fertilizer, or slug bait.

How to Keep a Salvia Bed Dog-Safe

• Read the tag. Look for Salvia in the scientific name. If the tag says Lantana, it is the toxic lookalike.
• Check unlisted species. The ASPCA covers only a couple of salvias by name. For anything else, search the ASPCA dog plant list or ask your vet before planting.
• Watch the chemicals. Garden treatments are often riskier than the plant. Keep your dog off freshly treated beds and follow the product's label.
• Mix in other dog-safe plants. Our list of flowers safe for dogs is a good place to start, and petunias are another non-toxic option.
• Know the mild offenders too. Dahlias are mildly toxic, mostly causing stomach upset, so they are worth fencing if your dog likes to graze.

Garden Plants That Need More Caution

Salvia is on the safe end of the scale. The AKC's guide to poisonous plants calls sago palm one of the most toxic plants for dogs and also flags azaleas, oleander, autumn crocus, and tulip and daffodil bulbs. Our guide to poisonous plants for dogs covers them in more detail.

Practical Takeaways

• Common sage and scarlet sage are non-toxic to dogs, according to the ASPCA.
• Lantana, sold as yellow sage or red sage, is toxic. Check the scientific name.
• A mild stomach upset after eating any plant is possible and usually passes.
• Skip sage-seasoned dishes that contain onions or garlic.
• When in doubt, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

For more around the home, see our guide to household items that are dangerous to dogs.