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Is Sweet Woodruff Toxic to Dogs?

☠️ 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.
Yes, mildly — sweet woodruff is toxic to dogs. Its coumarin content irritates the gut, and wilted plant material becomes a genuine blood thinner.

Also known as: Hay Plant, Master of the Woods, Galium odoratum · Galium odoratum

What makes it toxic

Coumarin in the foliage, which converts to anticoagulant dicoumarol as the plant wilts. Fresh leaves cause mild gut upset; wilted or spoiled material raises the risk of bleeding problems.

Warning signs to watch for

Drooling, vomiting and soft stool after eating fresh leaves. Significant or chronic intake of wilted material can show up as bruising, nosebleeds or blood in stool.

What to do if your dog eats it

Monitor a small nibble and offer water. Call your vet if vomiting continues, and go in promptly for bruising, bleeding or unusual weakness.

Common questions

Is the groundcover safe to grow with dogs?

Reasonably — casual contact is fine and fresh-leaf snacking is only mildly upsetting. Keep dogs away when you cut it back, while the clippings wilt.

Why does an herbal groundcover carry a blood thinner?

Its coumarin is a natural defense that turns into dicoumarol during spoilage — the same chemistry that historically gave us rat poison from moldy sweet clover.

More plants checked for dogs

Pothos☠️ ToxicYes, pothos is toxic to dogs. Chewing any part of the vine releases calcium oxalate crystals thaAloe Vera⚠️ Mildly ToxicAloe vera is mildly to moderately toxic to dogs. The skin and latex layer of the leaf contain coSpider Plant✅ Non-ToxicNo, spider plants are non-toxic to dogs. A dog that nibbles the arching leaves is not at risk ofEaster Lily⚠️ Mildly ToxicEaster lilies are only mildly toxic to dogs — they usually cause stomach upset, not the fatal kiSago Palm☠️ ToxicYes — sago palm is severely toxic to dogs, with a documented fatality rate around 50% when untreBoston 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.