What is this plant my dog loves?

July 12, 2015 3:07 PM

My dog races to this plant and eats it every chance she gets. She acts like it's pepperoni! What is it and will it kill her?
posted by Raichle to Home & Garden (3 answers total)

Can you tell us a bit more about it? Is it a big bush or low to the ground? Where do you live? Is it growing wild or in someone's garden? Does it have a smell?
posted by une_heure_pleine at 6:05 PM on July 12, 2015

Response by poster: Sorry about that. Pittsburgh, PA, USA :). This is what it looks like pulled directly out of the ground and grows in clumps.
posted by Raichle at 6:21 PM on July 12, 2015

Hey, neighbor. Looks like a type of goldenrod (solidago). Apparently, it's common for dogs to seek it out. It isn't on the dangerous list (another plant that goes by the name rayless goldenrod is, but is a different species). It does have a diuretic effect and has historically been taken to boost kidney function or deal with stones (ingested various ways), so you'll find natural-foods-for-pets people advocating it as a homegrown treatment for their dogs.
posted by notquitemaryann at 6:40 PM on July 12, 2015 [1 favorite]