Is Basil toxic to dogs?
Basil is non-toxic to dogs (S0 Safe): the ASPCA lists Ocimum basilicum as safe for dogs and cats with no toxic principle on record.
- TOXINnone — no toxic principles on record
- WHAT TO EXPECTno symptoms on record
- CALL THE VETSee a vet only if unusual or persistent symptoms follow ingestion.
Nothing to do — really
Care at a glance
FAQ
Does "basil is safe" include Thai basil?
Yes. The ASPCA's basil entry is for Ocimum basilicum and lists Thai basil, sweet basil, and Saint Joseph's wort as alternative common names, all under the same non-toxic verdict for cats and dogs with no toxic principle on record — so the S0 grade on this page covers a Thai basil pot as much as an Italian one. What the entry does not name is any basil that isn't Ocimum basilicum; if a plant is sold as a "basil" but belongs to another genus, it is not on this record. For the kitchen varieties, sweet, Genovese, or Thai, this page applies.
My cat keeps eating my basil plant — is that bad for it?
Not on any record we hold. Basil is S0 Safe for cats — the ASPCA lists Ocimum basilicum as non-toxic with no toxic principle and no clinical signs — which makes it the first herb on our index a cat can graze without a grade to worry about. S0 means non-toxic on record, not that a big meal of any plant sits well — a cat that eats a lot of leaf may still get an upset stomach. A cat that strips a basil plant is a problem for the pesto, not the cat. If you'd rather keep the harvest, give the cat its own pot and put yours higher up.