My dog chewed a few mint leaves from the pot. Now what?

A few leaves usually pass uneventfully or cause a mild upset stomach. Leave fresh water out and watch for vomiting or diarrhea over the next several hours. The exception is pennyroyal, which is genuinely dangerous, so identify the variety and call your vet if you are not sure.

He swallowed a piece of mint gum.

That is a xylitol question, not a plant question. Find the wrapper and check for xylitol or birch sugar. If it is there, even a few pieces can be an emergency for a small dog, so note how many and when and call your vet or the APCC at (888) 426-4435 right away.

Is mint good for dog breath?

Not worth it. The ASPCA classifies mint as toxic to dogs, and bad breath is usually tartar and periodontal disease, which no herb fixes. If the smell is bothering you, get the teeth and gums looked at rather than feeding herbs.

Mint

Caution

The ASPCA lists Mentha species as toxic to dogs, with vomiting and diarrhea after large ingestions. A nibbled leaf is usually a non-event; pennyroyal and undiluted peppermint oil are a different category, and mint gum means checking for xylitol.

This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.

Check before feeding

Check the precautions before sharing

Risk depends on preparation, ingredients or amount. Read the precautions below; body weight alone cannot establish a safe portion.

Signs and health concerns

This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.

Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Drooling
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
Poor coordination or balance
Tremors

More about this food

Mint is one of the easiest herbs to keep on a windowsill, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists Mentha sp. as toxic to dogs. The toxic principle is the essential oil in the leaves, and the recorded signs are vomiting and diarrhea, which the ASPCA notes follow large ingestions in particular. In practice that means a leaf pulled off a pot in passing is rarely an emergency, while a dog who shredded the whole plant is a different conversation. Species matters more than most people realize. The one to avoid outright is pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium). The Merck Veterinary Manual lists pennyroyal both among the hepatotoxic essential oils and among the oils that can induce seizures. It still circulates online as a natural flea remedy; do not use it on or around a dog. The second concern is undiluted peppermint oil. Merck notes that essential oils are readily and rapidly absorbed through the GI tract, skin, lungs and mucous membranes, and that the higher the concentration, the greater the risk. Signs develop within minutes to hours from any route: vomiting, lethargy, drooling, ataxia and anorexia, progressing in bad cases to tremors, hypotension and seizures. The mint exposure that most often lands in an emergency room, though, is not a plant at all. Sugar-free mint gum, breath mints and throat lozenges frequently contain xylitol, which causes rapid hypoglycemia and liver injury in dogs. A few pieces of gum can be enough for a small dog. If your dog got into something mint-flavored, the first move is to read the label for xylitol or birch sugar. Sort the exposure before you decide what to do. A few fresh leaves in a dog who is acting normal means fresh water and half a day of watching for vomiting or diarrhea. A whole plant, a pennyroyal plant, or any contact with concentrated oil means calling your veterinarian, the ASPCA APCC at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 now. Do not induce vomiting after an essential-oil ingestion -- Merck specifically says emesis should not be induced because of aspiration risk. If oil is on the coat or skin, wash it off with a mild cleanser, and if a diffuser was running, move the dog to another room and ventilate.

Frequently asked questions

My dog chewed a few mint leaves from the pot. Now what?: A few leaves usually pass uneventfully or cause a mild upset stomach. Leave fresh water out and watch for vomiting or diarrhea over the next several hours. The exception is pennyroyal, which is genuinely dangerous, so identify the variety and call your vet if you are not sure.
He swallowed a piece of mint gum.: That is a xylitol question, not a plant question. Find the wrapper and check for xylitol or birch sugar. If it is there, even a few pieces can be an emergency for a small dog, so note how many and when and call your vet or the APCC at (888) 426-4435 right away.
Is mint good for dog breath?: Not worth it. The ASPCA classifies mint as toxic to dogs, and bad breath is usually tartar and periodontal disease, which no herb fixes. If the smell is bothering you, get the teeth and gums looked at rather than feeding herbs.

This information is general guidance and does not replace veterinary care. If your dog has swallowed something, contact a veterinarian immediately.