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If your cat ate rough chervil — do this now

  1. Take the plant away and clear any pieces from their mouth.
  2. Do not induce vomiting unless told to by a professional.
  3. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 now.

Rough Chervil is toxic to cats (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My cat ate Rough Chervil — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take rough chervil away and remove any plant material from your cat's mouth so they cannot eat more.
  2. Note roughly how much was eaten and when — this helps the vet judge the risk.
  3. Do NOT induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice.
  5. Watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or lethargy, and bring a leaf or photo to the appointment.

This is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide as well as the plant. When in doubt, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.

My cat ate rough chervil — FAQ

Is rough chervil poisonous to cats?

Yes — the ASPCA lists Rough Chervil (Chaerophyllum temulum) as toxic to cats. Chaerophyllum temulum contains toxic alkaloids and furanocoumarins. The plant causes gastrointestinal inflammation, drowsiness, vertigo, and cardiac weakness if ingested; the sap causes phototoxic skin irritation (contact dermatitis) on exposed skin in sunlight. It is toxic to livestock, people, and pets. It must not be confused with edible Anthriscus cerefolium (culinary chervil), which is ASPCA-listed non-toxic. Chaerophyllum temulum itself does not appear on the ASPCA database; it is classified as toxic based on documented veterinary and horticultural toxicity reports.

How serious is it if my cat ate rough chervil?

Rough Chervil is toxic to cats and reactions can be significant, so treat any ingestion as urgent. Call your vet or poison control on (888) 426-4435 straight away rather than waiting to see if symptoms develop.

What symptoms should I watch for?

Signs usually appear soon after chewing: drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy. Chaerophyllum temulum contains toxic alkaloids and furanocoumarins. The plant causes gastrointestinal inflammation, drowsiness, vertigo, and cardiac weakness if ingested; the sap causes phototoxic skin irritation (contact dermatitis) on exposed skin in sunlight. It is toxic to livestock, people, and pets. It must not be confused with edible Anthriscus cerefolium (culinary chervil), which is ASPCA-listed non-toxic. Chaerophyllum temulum itself does not appear on the ASPCA database; it is classified as toxic based on documented veterinary and horticultural toxicity reports. Any worsening or persistent symptoms warrant an immediate vet visit.

Should I make my cat vomit?

No — do not induce vomiting unless a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center specifically tells you to. The wrong action can make things worse. Call (888) 426-4435 and follow professional advice.

How do I stop this happening again?

Keep rough chervil well out of reach, or swap it for an ASPCA non-toxic plant — see the best cats-safe plants list.

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