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Is Wood Nettle Toxic to Dogs?

⚠️ Mildly ToxicSeverity: Mild

✅ Cross-checked against veterinary poison-control guidance · Oct 2026 audit

⚠️ Educational info only. If your pet just chewed something and looks unwell, skip the reading and call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (US): (855) 764-7661.

Wood nettle is mildly toxic to dogs — more a chemical sting than a poisoning. Chewing the plant burns the mouth, and the misery usually passes within hours.

Also known as: Canada Wood Nettle, Laportea canadensis · Laportea canadensis

What makes it toxic

Stinging hairs injecting acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin and formic acid into whatever touches them. The effect is localized pain and inflammation of the mouth, muzzle or paws, not organ damage.

Warning signs to watch for

Sudden yelping or head shaking, drooling, lip licking, pawing at the muzzle, redness and mild vomiting after chewing; contact on the body shows as welted, itchy skin.

What to do if your dog eats it

Rinse the mouth and wash contacted skin with cool water. Monitor for a few hours; call the vet if vomiting continues, the face swells, or the dog seems unable to swallow comfortably.

Common questions

My dog plowed through a nettle patch on a hike — what helps?

Cool water rinses and keeping the dog from scratching bring most relief. The welts typically calm down within a few hours; antihistamines are a vet-guided option if the reaction is dramatic.

Can wood nettle cause lasting harm?

Long-term harm is not expected from the sting. The realistic complications are secondary — intense scratching, or a dog refusing food for a day after a mouthful of stings.

More plants checked for dogs

Pothos☠️ ToxicYes, pothos is toxic to dogs. Chewing any part of the vine releases calcium oxalate crystals tha Aloe Vera⚠️ Mildly ToxicAloe vera is mildly to moderately toxic to dogs. The skin and latex layer of the leaf contain co Spider Plant✅ Non-ToxicNo, spider plants are non-toxic to dogs. A dog that nibbles the arching leaves is not at risk of Easter Lily⚠️ Mildly ToxicEaster lilies are only mildly toxic to dogs — they usually cause stomach upset, not the fatal ki Sago Palm☠️ ToxicYes — sago palm is severely toxic to dogs, with a documented fatality rate around 50% when untre Boston Fern✅ Non-ToxicNo, Boston ferns are non-toxic to dogs. Chewing a frond will not poison your dog.

This page is general educational information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every pet is different — if your animal ate something concerning, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. Checking what your pet can eat? Visit our sister site SafeOrToxic.