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Are Hostas Poisonous? Dogs, Cats, Horses, Goats and Humans

Published 2018-06-01 · Updated 2026-10-06

Quick answer

  • Dogs, cats and horses: yes, mildly. The ASPCA lists hosta as toxic to dogs, cats and horses because it contains saponins; the listed signs are vomiting, diarrhea and depression (lethargy) (ASPCA).
  • People: poison-control centers list hosta among nontoxic plants, although any plant can cause choking or stomach upset, especially in young children (CHOP Poison Control Center). In Japan, Hosta sieboldiana is eaten as a wild vegetable called urui (Tokyo Metropolitan Government).
  • If a pet or child ate some: remove what is left in the mouth, note how much was eaten, and call your vet or a poison-control line (numbers below).

Hosta toxicity by animal

WhoListed as toxic?What is knownWhat to do
DogsYes — ASPCASaponins; vomiting, diarrhea, depression (ASPCA)Call your vet or an animal poison-control line
CatsYes — ASPCASame signs as dogs (ASPCA)Call your vet; cats hide illness, so act early
HorsesYes — ASPCASame signs (ASPCA)Call your equine vet; keep hostas away from pasture edges
Goats, sheep, cattleNot coveredThe ASPCA entry covers dogs, cats and horses only; we could not find an authoritative livestock sourceKeep livestock out of hosta beds; ask a livestock vet
Pet rabbits, guinea pigsNot coveredWe could not find an authoritative sourceDon’t feed hosta to pets; ask an exotic-animal vet
PeopleNontoxic on poison-control listsMay still cause choking or stomach upset in young children (CHOP Poison Control Center)US: call Poison Control, 1-800-222-1222

Are hostas poisonous to dogs?

Yes, mildly. Pet Poison Helpline lists vomiting and diarrhea as the common signs, with lethargy and loss of appetite also possible (Pet Poison Helpline). Dogs that like to chew plants are the main concern, so in a household with a dog, grow hostas in tall containers, raised beds or behind low fencing.

Are hostas poisonous to cats?

Yes. The ASPCA lists the same signs for cats as for dogs (ASPCA). Cats tend to hide illness, so if your cat has eaten hosta and keeps vomiting or stops eating, contact your vet.

Are hostas poisonous to horses?

Yes. The ASPCA lists hosta as toxic to horses as well as to dogs and cats (ASPCA). If horses graze near the garden, keep hosta beds out of reach.

Are hostas poisonous to goats?

The ASPCA’s hosta entry covers dogs, cats and horses only (ASPCA), and we could not find an authoritative source that covers goats, sheep or cattle. Hostas do contain the saponins behind the pet listing, so the cautious approach is to keep goats out of hosta beds and ask a livestock vet if they eat a large amount.

Are hostas poisonous to humans?

Poison-control centers list hosta among nontoxic plants for people. Like other nontoxic plants, it can still cause choking or stomach upset, particularly in young children (CHOP Poison Control Center), so keep garden plants out of small children’s reach and call Poison Control (US: 1-800-222-1222) for advice (CHOP Poison Control Center).

Garden chemicals are often the bigger hazard: metaldehyde, a common slug and snail bait ingredient, can cause tremors, seizures and dangerously high body temperature in pets (Pet Poison Helpline). Keep them and apply them out of reach of children and pets.

Hosta as food — and a look-alike warning

Hosta sieboldiana shoots are eaten in Japan as urui. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government warns that the fresh leaves of poisonous false hellebore (Veratrum) look similar to urui and are eaten by mistake; false hellebore poisoning causes vomiting, diarrhea, a fall in blood pressure and spasms (Tokyo Metropolitan Government). Don’t eat wild “hosta” shoots unless you are an experienced forager, and don’t eat garden hostas that may have been treated with slug bait or pesticides.

What to do if your dog or cat ate a hosta

  1. Take away any remaining plant from the animal’s mouth and the area.
  2. Estimate how much was eaten and when. A photo or a leaf helps the vet confirm the plant is a hosta.
  3. Call your vet or an animal poison-control service. In the US, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is at (888) 426-4435 and a consultation fee may apply (ASPCA); Pet Poison Helpline is at (855) 764-7661 and charges a per-incident fee (Pet Poison Helpline).
  4. Do not make your pet vomit unless your vet or a poison-control service tells you to (Pet Poison Helpline).
  5. Watch your pet and follow the vet’s advice on whether treatment is needed.

Pet-friendly ways to grow hostas

  • Plant where pets don’t go: behind low fencing, in raised beds or in tall containers.
  • Watch puppies and kittens in the garden and discourage chewing on plants.
  • Choose non-toxic shade plants for the areas pets use most, and check each one on the ASPCA plant list. Some popular hosta companions, such as hellebores, are themselves toxic to pets (ASPCA); see the companion plants guide.
  • Use slug control carefully. Read bait labels and keep pets away from any metaldehyde bait (Pet Poison Helpline). See hosta pests and diseases.

Frequently asked questions

Are hosta flowers poisonous?

NC State Extension lists all parts of the plant as toxic to cats, dogs and horses (NC State Extension), so treat the flowers the same as the leaves.

Are hostas poisonous to rabbits?

We could not find an authoritative toxicity source for pet rabbits. Wild rabbits and deer do eat hosta foliage (NC State Extension). Don’t feed hosta to a pet rabbit, and ask an exotic-animal vet if yours has eaten some.

Do deer eat hostas?

Yes — NC State Extension notes that deer and rabbits enjoy the foliage (NC State Extension). See the guide to choosing a deer repellent.

Sources