No, brunnera toxic to dogs is not a known concern based on most plant safety lists. The plant is not on the ASPCA toxic plant list as of now. You should still check the ASPCA site for your own peace of mind before you plant. Most pet owners can plant brunnera in their yards with no real worry about dog safety.
Brunnera pet safety is helped by the plant's own design as a shade ground cover. The rough, hairy leaves are not the type that dogs want to chew on. Most dogs sniff the plant once and walk away with no interest in eating it. The leaves do not have a sweet smell or soft feel that might tempt a curious pup.
In my experience, I have had two dogs around my brunnera beds for over six years with no issues. My golden retriever walks right past the plants on her way to the bird bath. My older lab has never shown any interest in the leaves or flowers at all. I have found no signs of illness or upset stomach from any of my dogs over those years.
The rough hairy leaves keep pets from grazing on the plant in a natural way. The same stiff hairs that deter slugs also deter dogs and other animals. Deer and rabbits also avoid brunnera for this same reason. The plant gives off a clear signal that the leaves are not good food for most animals.
Brunnera safe for animals status is not a strong claim from any pet poison source. The plant is just not listed as toxic on any major site I have checked over the years. This is good news, but a missing entry is not the same as a clear safe label. Always double check the ASPCA list if your dog tends to chew on plants in the yard.
Some dogs eat plants out of habit or stress, not for taste or hunger. These dogs may try a leaf or two from any new plant in the yard. Watch your dog for the first few weeks after you plant new brunnera. If you see no upset stomach, drool, or other signs of illness, your dog is most likely just fine with the plant.
Brunnera dog garden setups work well when you plan ahead for both plants and pets. Put the brunnera in a shaded back bed where dogs do not roam much. Add some short fence panels around puppy zones to keep young dogs out of the beds. Trained adult dogs can roam free without much risk of harm to your plants.
Teach your dog the leave it command for safe play in the yard. Walk your dog past the plants on leash and reward calm behavior with treats. Most dogs learn to stay out of garden beds within a few weeks of work. This skill keeps both your plants and your dog safer year round.
When I first added new plants to my yard, I watched my dogs closely for two weeks. Any new plant could cause an issue I had not seen before. Slow watching helped me catch one bad plant choice years ago when my lab got sick from a different shade plant. Brunnera passed that test with no signs of trouble at all.
If your dog eats a leaf and acts off, call your vet right away. Bring a leaf with you to the vet or have a photo on your phone. Most cases turn out to be mild stomach upset at worst with no real harm done. With basic care and watching, your dog and your brunnera will both thrive in your yard for years.
Read the full article: Brunnera Plant Growing and Care Guide
