PlantFunLemon Grass Toxic?
Lemon grass is confirmed toxic to cats, dogs, and horses per ASPCA data
Its core toxic components are essential oils and cyanogenic glycosides
Rare fatal outcomes have been recorded in horses exposed to the plant
FAQ
Is Lemon Grass toxic to Humans?
No confirmed human toxicity data is provided; the plant is generally safe for culinary use, but consult a doctor if adverse reactions occur (Non-toxic)
Is Lemon Grass toxic to Cats?
Mild to moderate stomach upset including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain (Low)
Is Lemon Grass toxic to Dogs?
Mild to moderate stomach upset including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain (Low)
Is Lemon Grass toxic to Horses?
Difficulty breathing, generalized weakness, and rare fatal outcomes (Moderate)
Toxicity Details
No confirmed human toxicity data is provided; the plant is generally safe for culinary use, but consult a doctor if adverse reactions occur
Mild to moderate stomach upset including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
Mild to moderate stomach upset including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
Difficulty breathing, generalized weakness, and rare fatal outcomes
Toxicity Snapshot
First Aid & Prevention
First 30 Minutes
- • Remove any remaining lemon grass material from the exposed animal's mouth immediately and rinse their mouth with clean cool water
- • Avoid inducing vomiting unless explicitly directed to do so by a licensed veterinarian
- • Collect a sample of the ingested plant to provide to veterinary staff for fast, accurate identification
Contact Vet Immediately
- • Your cat, dog, or horse has ingested any amount of lemon grass
- • Your animal shows symptoms such as stomach upset, difficulty breathing, or weakness post-exposure
- • Your horse has had known access to large quantities of lemon grass, even if no symptoms are present
Prevention
- • Keep potted or harvested lemon grass out of reach of household pets and pastured horses
- • Avoid using undiluted lemon grass essential oil products around unsupervised pets
- • Inspect horse pastures regularly to remove any wild-growing lemon grass specimens
Treatment & Prognosis
- • Veterinarians may administer activated charcoal for recent ingestions to reduce toxin absorption
- • Symptomatic care including anti-emetics, fluid therapy, and respiratory support may be provided as needed
- • Horses may be monitored for signs of cyanide toxicity after large volume ingestions
Professional Toxicology
• Essential oils irritate the gastrointestinal tract lining, causing digestive upset in cats and dogs
• Cyanogenic glycosides metabolize to release cyanide in the body, leading to respiratory impairment and systemic toxicity in horses
Information from CliniTox veterinary text.
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Data Sources
This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.