Can dogs eat mint?

Updated 2026-08-07 · Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database · Free · No sign-up

No — mint should not be given to dogs. If yours has already eaten some, call your vet.
If your dog may have eaten something harmful, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right now — don't wait for symptoms. A consultation fee may apply to the ASPCA hotline.
Verdict for dogsDon't feed
Severity2 / 5 — Mild — usually stomach upset; watch them.
Safe amountNone
CategoryHuman snacks
SourceASPCA Animal Poison Control — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database · reviewed 2026-08-07 · confidence: high

Why

The ASPCA lists mint (Mentha species) as toxic to dogs — the essential oils cause vomiting and diarrhea with large ingestions. A single leaf is unlikely to cause harm, but mint is not a herb to feed, and mint sweets and gum bring the xylitol question with them.

Signs to watch for if your dog has eaten mint

Signs can lag by a day or more, so no symptoms does not mean your dog is clear — call rather than watch.

What to do now

Don't feed it. If your dog has already eaten some, call your vet or poison control with the amount and the timing and follow their advice.

Never induce vomiting and never give any medicine unless a vet tells you to — it can do more damage than the poison. What we will and won't tell you.

Safer alternatives for dogs

What about cats?

Can cats eat mint? — Don't feed it to cats either.

This page is a reference, not veterinary advice or a diagnosis. Verdicts are transcribed from the cited source, never inferred, and a finding in one species is never copied onto the other. How we source and decide a verdict.

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FAQ

Can dogs eat mint?

No — mint should not be given to dogs. If yours has already eaten some, call your vet. The ASPCA lists mint (Mentha species) as toxic to dogs — the essential oils cause vomiting and diarrhea with large ingestions. A single leaf is unlikely to cause harm, but mint is not a herb to feed, and mint sweets and gum bring the xylitol question with them.

What happens if a dog eats mint?

Watch for: Vomiting; Diarrhea or loose stools; Loss of appetite; Belly discomfort or unusual tiredness. Some signs lag by a day — call, don't wait.

How much mint is dangerous for a dog?

The safe amount is none, as an occasional treat rather than a daily habit. Large amounts mainly cause stomach upset; if that doesn't settle within a day, call your vet.

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