Is Salvia Poisonous to Dogs?

The commonly grown culinary and ornamental Salvia species are classified non-toxic to dogs by the ASPCA. Salvia officinalis (common/garden sage) and Salvia coccinea (scarlet sage) both appear on the ASPCA non-toxic plant list for dogs, cats, and horses, with no toxic principles or clinical signs listed. 'Non-toxic' means the plant is not expected to cause poisoning, NOT that it is a food. Dogs lack the enzymes to digest large amounts of plant material, so eating a quantity of leaves, stems, or flowers can still cause mild, self-limiting gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea) simply through mechanical/fiber irritation and overconsumption. As a culinary herb, sage is fine in the small amounts used to season food, but should be plain, unsalted, and free of added garlic, onion, or other toxic seasonings; sage essential oil is far more concentrated and should not be given to dogs. One important caveat: the genus Salvia is huge and a few species are NOT on the ASPCA list. Salvia divinorum ('diviner's sage') contains the psychoactive compound salvinorin A and is not a verified-safe garden plant; ingestion could plausibly cause neurological effects and has not been cleared by the ASPCA. Verdict here applies to ordinary culinary/ornamental sage; identify the exact species before assuming any unusual Salvia is safe. If a dog eats a large amount of any plant or you cannot identify the species, contact a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661).

Is garden sage (Salvia officinalis) safe for dogs to eat?

Yes. The ASPCA lists Salvia officinalis (sage) as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Small amounts of plain, cooked sage used to season food are fine. Avoid concentrated sage essential oil and any seasoning that also contains garlic or onion, which are toxic to dogs.

Are ornamental salvias in my garden dangerous to my dog?

The common ornamental salvias such as scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) and scarlet sage/Salvia splendens are non-toxic to dogs per the ASPCA. Eating a lot of any plant can still cause temporary stomach upset, but these species are not expected to cause poisoning.

Is any kind of salvia poisonous to dogs?

The everyday culinary and ornamental salvias are non-toxic. The exception to watch for is Salvia divinorum (diviner's sage), a psychoactive species that is not on the ASPCA non-toxic list; do not assume it is safe. If you are unsure which Salvia species a dog ate, identify the plant or call a vet or poison control.

• ASPCA - Sage (Salvia officinalis)
• ASPCA - Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea)

Last updated 2026-06-25