True or False: Shamrocks are poisonous to pets.

Answer: True

As Saint Patrick’s Day approaches you may have purchased a shamrock to brighten up your home and celebrate the day! But shamrocks (a species of Oxalis) contain soluble oxalates (oxalic acid and oxalate salts) which can be toxic to pets if eaten in large quantities. Fortunately, shamrocks tend to have a bitter taste, discouraging most pets from nibbling on the leaves.  

If your pet decides to try their “luck,” and feasts on your shamrock plant, they may experience drooling, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, tremors, bloody urine, and changes in thirst and urination. 

Other common plants that also contain oxalates and can cause mild gastrointestinal upset include philodendron, peace lily, dieffenbachia, arrowhead and golden pothos.

Suspect that your pet ate some of your shamrock? Don’t panic. If possible, figure out the amount your pet ate, then contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 right away.

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