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Cilantro is not toxic to dogs. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to dogs. It also does not appear among the food allergens reported in the published research on dogs. A dog could react to almost any food, so an allergy to cilantro cannot be ruled out completely, but it would be unusual. The bigger risk with cilantro is usually what it is served with. Salsa, curry, chutney and many spice blends contain onion or garlic, and those are harmful to dogs.
Cilantro, coriander, dhania: the same plant
What North Americans call cilantro is called coriander (or coriander leaf) in the UK, Ireland, Australia and much of the world. In South Asian cooking it is dhania. All of these are Coriandrum sativum, a member of the Apiaceae (carrot and parsley) family. The ASPCA entry lists “Coriander, Chinese Parsley, Dhania” as other names for the same plant. So whatever your local shop calls it, the answer in this article applies. The dried seeds sold as “coriander” come from the same plant, but they usually reach a dog as part of a spice mix. That is a different question, covered below.
Is cilantro safe for dogs?
In small amounts, yes. The ASPCA plant database lists cilantro as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The ASPCA adds a general caution that applies to every plant, though: “the consumption of any plant material may cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset for dogs and cats.” A non-toxic herb can still upset a stomach if a dog eats a lot of it.
The American Kennel Club’s guidance agrees. Its article on cilantro for dogs says the leaves “are safe for them to eat in moderation,” and that too much “can lead to gastrointestinal upset.” It also quotes the AKC’s chief veterinarian, Dr. Jerry Klein, saying that most dogs do not like the taste. Many dogs will simply refuse it, and that is fine.
Can dogs be allergic to cilantro?
A true food allergy is the immune system reacting to something in a food, usually a protein. VCA Animal Hospitals names the usual culprits as proteins “from dairy, beef, chicken, chicken eggs, soy, or wheat gluten.” VCA also adds that “virtually any food ingredient can produce an allergy.” That is why no honest article can promise a dog will never react to cilantro.
What the research does show is how rarely herbs come up. A 2016 review in BMC Veterinary Research by Mueller, Olivry and Prélaud pooled the published studies covering 297 food-allergic dogs. The most frequently reported allergens were beef (34%), dairy (17%), chicken (15%), wheat (13%) and lamb (5%). Soy, corn, egg, pork, fish and rice followed, and a handful of foods were reported in a single dog each. Cilantro and coriander do not appear anywhere in the paper.
Signs that a food is not agreeing with your dog
According to VCA, the signs of a food allergy in dogs “are usually itchy skin, paws, or ears or digestive disturbances such as vomiting or diarrhea.” These signs are not specific to any one food. They also overlap with environmental allergies, parasites and infections, so they cannot tell you on their own that cilantro is to blame. Note what your dog ate and when, and tell your vet.
Some signs cannot wait. VCA’s guidance on hives in dogs describes swelling around the face and lips. It warns that “if the swelling progresses to the throat, breathing can be compromised and result in a medical emergency called anaphylaxis.” If your dog’s face, lips or eyes swell, or your dog has any difficulty breathing, contact a vet or an emergency clinic straight away. Do not wait to see whether it passes, and do not give human medicines.
The real risk: what the cilantro comes with
Cilantro is rarely eaten on its own. It is usually stirred into salsa, guacamole, curries, chutneys, dals, noodle dishes and stuffings. Many of those also contain onion, garlic or chives. The ASPCA explains that these “are members of the Allium species of vegetables,” which “can cause gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage, which can lead to anemia.” A dog that gets sick after licking a plate of salsa is far more likely reacting to the onion than to the herb on top.
The same goes for dried coriander in spice mixes: curry powders and seasoning blends often contain onion or garlic powder. If you want to share cilantro, share it on its own, and keep it out of anything you cooked for yourself.
How to offer cilantro, if you want to
Cilantro is not a food your dog needs. A complete and balanced dog food already does the nutritional work. If you would like to see whether your dog enjoys the flavour, AKC’s advice is simple:
- Leaves only. Dr. Klein advises avoiding the stems: “The stems are difficult to digest and may lead to gastrointestinal issues in some dogs.”
- Chopped, as a garnish. AKC suggests dicing the leaves and sprinkling them on your dog’s usual food.
- Plain and fresh. Use a fresh bunch of cilantro from the shop or market, rinsed, rather than leftovers from a seasoned dish. A plain bunch from any local greengrocer is exactly the same thing.
- A small taste the first time. Then watch your dog over the following hours for vomiting, loose stools or itching.
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, a diagnosed food allergy or a medical condition that needs a special diet, ask your vet before adding anything new, even a herb.
If you suspect a food allergy
Food allergy is diagnosed by your vet, not with a home test or a one-off reaction. Merck’s guide for dog owners is direct: “Food allergies are diagnosed by feeding a limited foodstuff (elimination or hydrolyzed) diet and seeing if the itching resolves. Blood and skin tests are not reliable for diagnosis.” A systematic review of those tests reached the same conclusion. Serum IgE and IgG food tests “showed low repeatability and, in dogs, a highly variable accuracy.”
An elimination trial has to run long enough to give an answer. A review of the evidence by Olivry, Mueller and Prélaud (2015) concluded that “elimination diet trials should last at least 8 weeks” to diagnose more than 90% of affected dogs. VCA describes 8 to 12 weeks, with nothing else fed during the trial: “no other foods, treats, or supplements.” If the signs settle, your vet will reintroduce the old food. If they return, the diagnosis is confirmed. Your vet will then add single ingredients back one at a time to find the culprit.
During a trial, even a sprinkle of fresh cilantro counts as an extra food and can spoil the result. Leave herbs out until your vet says otherwise.
The short version
- Cilantro (coriander leaf) is listed as non-toxic to dogs by the ASPCA.
- It is not among the food allergens reported in 297 food-allergic dogs. An allergy is possible but unusual.
- Offer plain chopped leaves in small amounts and leave out the stems. Many dogs will not want it anyway.
- Never share cilantro mixed into dishes that contain onion, garlic or chives.
- Facial swelling or trouble breathing is an emergency. Ongoing itching or stomach upset needs a vet visit, and a food allergy is confirmed only by a vet-supervised elimination diet of at least 8 weeks.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog’s health or diet, please talk to your vet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cilantro toxic to dogs?
No. The ASPCA lists cilantro (Coriandrum sativum, also called coriander, Chinese parsley or dhania) as non-toxic to dogs. Like any plant, it can still upset the stomach if a dog eats a lot of it.
What are the signs my dog is reacting to something it ate?
VCA says food allergy in dogs usually shows up as itchy skin, paws or ears, or as vomiting or diarrhoea. Swelling of the face or lips that spreads toward the throat can affect breathing and is an emergency. Contact a vet straight away.
Can my vet test my dog for a cilantro allergy?
Not with a blood or skin test. Merck says these “are not reliable for diagnosis.” The method that works is a vet-supervised elimination diet followed by a food challenge.
How long does an elimination diet take?
At least 8 weeks, according to the evidence review by Olivry et al. VCA describes 8 to 12 weeks, with no other foods, treats or supplements during the trial.
Can my dog eat salsa or curry with cilantro in it?
No. These dishes often contain onion, garlic or chives. The ASPCA warns that these can damage red blood cells and lead to anaemia. Share only plain cilantro leaves, never seasoned food.
