Monty Don returned to BBC’s Gardeners’ World with his usual enthusiasm, but this time he had a vital message for viewers—especially dog owners. With spring on the horizon, Monty highlighted early seasonal produce, focusing on rhubarb, a plant he has nurtured for 36 years.
While demonstrating how to harvest rhubarb correctly—emphasizing “Never cut it, you always pull rhubarb”—he issued an important safety warning. Monty cautioned viewers that although the stalks are edible, the leaves of the rhubarb plant are poisonous, particularly to dogs.
“Of course, you don’t eat the leaves, and rhubarb leaves are poisonous for dogs,” he explained. “Not that I’ve ever known a dog want to eat a rhubarb leaf, but if you find your dog eating it, stop it immediately.”
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As Monty shared this advice, his golden retriever Ned appeared on screen, peacefully resting nearby while Monty positioned the basket of freshly picked rhubarb close to him.
According to experts, rhubarb leaves contain soluble oxalate crystals, which pose two significant health dangers to dogs. These crystals can lower calcium levels by binding with calcium in the dog’s body, and they may also cause kidney damage due to crystal accumulation. Symptoms of rhubarb leaf poisoning in dogs include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, and abdominal pain. More severe reactions may involve tremors, weakness, bloody urine, and even kidney failure.
Monty’s warning comes shortly after he shared a more lighthearted moment with Ned on social media, posting a video of his beloved golden retriever happily engaged in a never-ending game of fetch—a lauded but “tragic” routine, as Monty affectionately put it.
This candid glimpse into Monty’s home life delighted fans, who enjoyed seeing the bond between the gardener and his dog.