Is Rhubarb Toxic to Cats?

Rheum rhabarbarum

Rhubarb leaves contain high levels of soluble oxalates, which bind calcium and can cause kidney damage. The stems contain far less, which is why people can eat them and cats still should not.

It is a British allotment and veg-patch staple, and the large leaves are at ground level where a cat walks.

Which parts are dangerous

• leaves
• roots

What to watch for in the UK

• Allotments, veg patches and garden corners.
• Leaves pulled off stems are often left on the ground.
• Rhubarb crumble and yoghurt add sugar, dairy and sometimes raisins.
• Never feed cooked rhubarb 'because it is soft'.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Phone your vet — leaf ingestion matters more than a nibble of stem.
2. Take a photo and note how much leaf was eaten.
3. Watch for drooling, vomiting and weakness.

Take a photo of the plant, and a cutting if you can do it safely — identification is half of the vet's decision. Out of hours, use your practice's emergency number. This page explains risk; it cannot diagnose your cat and it contains no home treatments.

If your cat has vomited after eating a plant, see the cat vomiting guide and, if there is blood, vomiting blood. For a general red-flag checklist, use sick cat symptoms. If the worry is food rather than a plant, the can cats eat guide covers 36 everyday foods.

Related plants

Browse the full UK plant checklist (72 plants).