If an animal has eaten this plant, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is (888) 426-4435, as printed on the record this page reproduces. A consultation fee may apply.
This page quotes a published document. Everything below in quotation marks is copied word for word from ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Red Maple, published by ASPCA APCC and retrieved on 2026-09-16. The quotations are excerpts; the document itself is linked and is the authority. Nothing has been reworded.
According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center record, Red Maple (Acer rubrum, family Sapindaceae) is toxic to horses and non-toxic to dogs and cats. Toxic principles: Tannins and gallic acid metabolized to pyrogallol by intestinal bacteria. Clinical signs listed: Wilted leaves are most toxic. Damage to red blood cells, resulting in decreased ability to carry oxygen to tissues; darkening of the membranes around the eyes/mouth, weakness, anorexia, central nervous system depression, abdominal discomfort, laminitis, discolored urine, abortion in pregnant mares. The record was retrieved on 2026-09-16 and is linked below.
The record
- Scientific name
- Acer rubrum
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Additional common names
- Swamp Maple, Scarlet Maple, Water Maple, Soft Maple
- Toxicity
- Toxic to Horses
- Non-toxicity
- Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats
- Toxic principles
- Tannins and gallic acid metabolized to pyrogallol by intestinal bacteria
- Clinical signs
- Wilted leaves are most toxic. Damage to red blood cells, resulting in decreased ability to carry oxygen to tissues; darkening of the membranes around the eyes/mouth, weakness, anorexia, central nervous system depression, abdominal discomfort, laminitis, discolored urine, abortion in pregnant mares.
Where this comes from
This is the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center record for Red Maple, at https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/red-maple, retrieved on 2026-09-16. The fields above are the record’s own, shown without change. The ASPCA keeps the record current; the page here is a copy from that date.
This page is information, not a prescription. The right dose for an animal depends on its weight, its age, what else it is taking and what is wrong with it. Those are judgements only the veterinarian who has examined your animal can make. Ring your practice before giving anything.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Red MapleASPCA APCC · retrieved 2026-09-16
“Wilted leaves are most toxic. Damage to red blood cells, resulting in decreased ability to carry oxygen to tissues; darkening of the membranes around the eyes/mouth, weakness, anorexia, central nervous system depression, abdominal discomfort, laminitis, discolored urine, abortion in pregnant mares.” (Clinical Signs)
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