Plants
Hops: Safe for Dogs and Cats?
If your pet ate this, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
Hops used in home brewing can trigger a runaway rise in body temperature in dogs that is often fatal without immediate treatment.
Toxic principle: unidentified compound that triggers a malignant hyperthermia-like reaction
Watch for
- panting
- restlessness
- agitation
- rapid heart rate
- markedly elevated body temperature
- seizures
- death if untreated
Hops toxicity is far better documented in dogs than cats, but because no safe amount has been established, any hops exposure in a cat should be treated with the same urgency.
Toxic principle: unidentified compound suspected to trigger the same reaction seen in dogs; not well documented in cats
Watch for
- panting
- restlessness
- agitation
- rapid heart rate
- elevated body temperature
- seizures
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-12
This page is for informational purposes only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet's diet and health.
Read our methodology for how every verdict is sourced and reviewed.