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If your cat ate sarpagandha — 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 now. If you cannot reach one, a poison-control line will triage you — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK. Both services charge a fee.

Sarpagandha is toxic to cats (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My cat ate Sarpagandha — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take sarpagandha 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 a poison-control line — (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK. Both charge a consultation fee. 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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK.

My cat ate sarpagandha — FAQ

Is sarpagandha poisonous to cats?

Yes — Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina) is regarded as toxic to cats, based on genus- and family-level toxicity data. Contains potent monoterpene indole alkaloids including reserpine, ajmaline, serpentine, and yohimbine throughout all plant parts, especially the roots. These compounds cause hypotension, sedation, CNS depression, and gastrointestinal distress in humans and animals. Rauvolfia is not individually listed by ASPCA, but the Apocynaceae family is well-documented as toxic; treat as toxic to pets and humans. Keep out of reach of children and animals.

How serious is it if my cat ate sarpagandha?

Sarpagandha is toxic to cats and reactions can be significant, so treat any ingestion as urgent. Call your vet, or (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK, 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. Contains potent monoterpene indole alkaloids including reserpine, ajmaline, serpentine, and yohimbine throughout all plant parts, especially the roots. These compounds cause hypotension, sedation, CNS depression, and gastrointestinal distress in humans and animals. Rauvolfia is not individually listed by ASPCA, but the Apocynaceae family is well-documented as toxic; treat as toxic to pets and humans. Keep out of reach of children and animals. 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 a poison-control specialist specifically tells you to. The wrong action can make things worse. Call your vet, or (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK, and follow professional advice.

How do I stop this happening again?

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

Type any plant to see what the ASPCA says about it and your cat.

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