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Is Licorice Plant Toxic to Dogs?

⚠️ Mildly ToxicSeverity: Mild

✅ Cross-checked against veterinary poison-control guidance · Oct 2026 audit

⚠️ Educational info only. If your pet just chewed something and looks unwell, skip the reading and call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (US): (855) 764-7661.

Licorice plant is at most mildly toxic to dogs. Eating leaves or roots causes mild stomach upset, and big repeated doses can disturb potassium levels.

Also known as: Licorice Root, Sweetwood, Glycyrrhiza glabra · Glycyrrhiza glabra

What makes it toxic

Glycyrrhizin, which irritates the gut in quantity and acts on adrenal hormones with chronic intake, driving sodium retention and potassium loss.

Warning signs to watch for

Vomiting, diarrhea and drooling after eating the plant; long-term heavy intake can add lethargy and muscle weakness.

What to do if your dog eats it

Offer water and monitor after a chew. If your dog has eaten the plant repeatedly or shows weakness, call your vet about bloodwork.

Common questions

Some dog supplements contain licorice root — why?

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is processed to remove the hormone-active compound and used at controlled doses. Raw plant is a different product entirely.

Is Helichrysum, sold as licorice plant at nurseries, safe?

Treat it as mildly irritating rather than safe — dogs that chew it can get drooling and stomach upset. The same caution applies to both plants sharing the name.

More plants checked for dogs

Pothos☠️ ToxicYes, pothos is toxic to dogs. Chewing any part of the vine releases calcium oxalate crystals tha Aloe Vera⚠️ Mildly ToxicAloe vera is mildly to moderately toxic to dogs. The skin and latex layer of the leaf contain co Spider Plant✅ Non-ToxicNo, spider plants are non-toxic to dogs. A dog that nibbles the arching leaves is not at risk of Easter Lily⚠️ Mildly ToxicEaster lilies are only mildly toxic to dogs — they usually cause stomach upset, not the fatal ki Sago Palm☠️ ToxicYes — sago palm is severely toxic to dogs, with a documented fatality rate around 50% when untre Boston Fern✅ Non-ToxicNo, Boston ferns are non-toxic to dogs. Chewing a frond will not poison your dog.

This page is general educational information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every pet is different — if your animal ate something concerning, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. Checking what your pet can eat? Visit our sister site SafeOrToxic.