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Rhubarb

0 foods contain this ingredient

Herb

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About Rhubarb

Rhubarb is a garden vegetable whose leaves in particular are recognized by poison control organizations as toxic to dogs and cats.

Rhubarb is not a common pet-food ingredient but its stalks can provide some dietary fiber and trace vitamins; however it is rarely used in commercial formulations for dogs or cats. Significant caution is required because rhubarb leaves (and concentrated amounts) contain oxalates and other compounds that can cause gastrointestinal upset, kidney injury, or hypocalcemia, so rhubarb should be avoided or included only in very small, processed amounts under veterinary guidance.

Related ingredients

Herb
Derived from
stalks, leaves, and roots of the rhubarb plant
Primary role
not used as a pet food ingredient; relevant mainly as a toxicity concern

Why it's used

Rhubarb is not formulated into commercial dog or cat food. It shows up in ingredient dictionaries mainly because owners encounter the garden plant and ask about exposure risk rather than because manufacturers add it deliberately.

Common concerns

  • Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses The ASPCA lists rhubarb as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, with soluble calcium oxalates identified as the toxic principle.
  • Kidney effects Documented clinical signs of rhubarb exposure include kidney failure, tremors, and salivation, with the leaves carrying much higher oxalate concentrations than the stalks.
  • Higher risk for dehydrated or kidney-compromised pets Pets that are dehydrated or already have kidney disease are considered to be at greater risk from oxalate exposure, as are small and toy breeds prone to calcium oxalate stone formation.

Also relevant

Owners who suspect a pet has eaten rhubarb leaves or roots should contact a veterinarian or a poison control hotline rather than wait for symptoms to appear.

2 sources cited

Common Questions

What category is Rhubarb?

Rhubarb is categorized as a herb ingredient in the KibbleLab database.

Is Rhubarb part of an allergen group?

No allergen group is linked to Rhubarb in the KibbleLab database.

Which foods contain Rhubarb?

0 foods in the KibbleLab database contain Rhubarb.

Foods with Rhubarb

Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.

No foods in the KibbleLab database contain Rhubarb right now.

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