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Toxic to dogs. The ASPCA lists geranium as toxic to dogs. Geranium is a low to mid tier risk: a miserable stomach day and possibly a skin reaction, rather than organ injury. Puppies that eat a whole small plant and dogs that develop spreading dermatitis earn a call.
Geraniums are the red and pink workhorses of window boxes, porch pots and cemetery plantings, and almost all of them are actually Pelargonium. The ASPCA lists Pelargonium species as toxic to dogs, which surprises owners who have grown them for years beside dogs that never touched them; most dogs leave the bitter, scented leaves alone, and the ones that graze are the ones that get the listing's signs.
The ASPCA names the toxic principle of geranium as Geraniol and linalool. The garden geraniums of pots and borders are Pelargonium, and their scented foliage carries geraniol and linalool, the compounds the ASPCA names. Eaten, they produce vomiting, appetite loss and depression; on skin, dermatitis. True cranesbill geraniums (Geranium species) are a different genus, which is why the scientific name on the label, not the word geranium, decides the listing.
The clinical signs the ASPCA lists for geranium are: vomiting, loss of appetite, depression and skin irritation (dermatitis). Scented geranium varieties, sold for their rose, lemon and mint foliage, concentrate exactly the oils the ASPCA names, so they deserve the most respect in the group. The skin route matters with this plant: a dog that sleeps against potted geraniums on a sunny porch, or pushes through border plantings daily, can develop a recurring dermatitis that owners rarely connect to a plant they consider harmless. Note also the citronella plant sold for mosquitoes, which is a scented Pelargonium and falls under the same listing.
Most dangerous part: The scented leaves, which carry the highest load of the named oils and are the part within constant reach in pots, hanging baskets and border edges.
Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435, or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 right away, even if your dog looks fine. Some poisons take hours or days to show their worst effects. Do not make your dog vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to, and keep the packaging, a photo, or a sample of what was eaten to show the clinic.
Place pots and baskets where a grazing dog cannot strip leaves, and deadhead and clear fallen foliage from dog lying spots. If your dog develops a repeating rash, move the pots out of its rooms and routes for a few weeks and tell your veterinarian what changed. Check labels for Pelargonium when buying, whatever the common name says.
For porch pot color, the ASPCA lists petunia and garden marigold as non-toxic to dogs. Both carry a summer border through the season without scented toxic foliage. Whatever you plant next, check it on the toxic plants index approach: confirm the plant on the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic list under its scientific name, Pelargonium species is the name to avoid here, before it goes in the ground or on the shelf.
Yes. The ASPCA lists geranium (Pelargonium species) as toxic to dogs. Its toxic principle is Geraniol and linalool, and the signs it lists include vomiting, loss of appetite, depression and skin irritation (dermatitis).
Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435, or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 straight away. Note what part of the plant was eaten and roughly how much, keep any remaining plant material to show the clinic, and do not make your dog vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to.
The scented leaves, which carry the highest load of the named oils and are the part within constant reach in pots, hanging baskets and border edges.
Place pots and baskets where a grazing dog cannot strip leaves, and deadhead and clear fallen foliage from dog lying spots. If your dog develops a repeating rash, move the pots out of its rooms and routes for a few weeks and tell your veterinarian what changed. Check labels for Pelargonium when buying, whatever the common name says.
The listing covers Pelargonium, which is what nearly all bedding and pot geraniums are. Hardy cranesbills are the true Geranium genus and are a separate question; check the scientific name of your plant on the ASPCA list.
Yes, appetite loss and depression are listed signs, along with vomiting. Offer water, skip home remedies, and call your veterinarian if the dog is still off food the next day or vomits repeatedly.
This page is general information drawn from the published guidance of the organizations listed under Sources below. It is not veterinary advice, and it does not replace your own veterinarian, who knows your dog. If your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435, or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 straight away. A consultation fee may apply on the helplines.
Last updated: November 2026. Every verdict on this page was checked against the sources listed above. How we work: our methodology.
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