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If your cat ate silver ragwort — 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.

Silver Ragwort is toxic to cats (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My cat ate Silver Ragwort — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take silver ragwort 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 silver ragwort — FAQ

Is silver ragwort poisonous to cats?

Yes — the ASPCA lists Silver Ragwort (Jacobaea maritima) as toxic to cats. The ASPCA lists Senecio/Jacobaea species including ragwort as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are metabolised in the liver to reactive pyrroles causing hepatotoxicity. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, jaundice, and liver failure with chronic exposure. Note this is silver ragwort (Jacobaea maritima), the low silver-leaved bedding plant — not common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris, formerly Senecio jacobaea), the tall yellow-flowered weed of paddocks, verges and rough grass that gives ragwort its reputation. That is a livestock and equine problem above all: horses and cattle are far more susceptible than cats and dogs, the plant is bitter and rarely eaten willingly, and the real danger is wilted or dried material in hay, which loses the bitterness without losing the alkaloids. Both plants are Asteraceae and both carry pyrrolizidine alkaloids, so neither is a safe substitute for the other. The damage is cumulative and falls on the liver, not the kidneys.

How serious is it if my cat ate silver ragwort?

Silver Ragwort 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. The ASPCA lists Senecio/Jacobaea species including ragwort as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are metabolised in the liver to reactive pyrroles causing hepatotoxicity. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, jaundice, and liver failure with chronic exposure. Note this is silver ragwort (Jacobaea maritima), the low silver-leaved bedding plant — not common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris, formerly Senecio jacobaea), the tall yellow-flowered weed of paddocks, verges and rough grass that gives ragwort its reputation. That is a livestock and equine problem above all: horses and cattle are far more susceptible than cats and dogs, the plant is bitter and rarely eaten willingly, and the real danger is wilted or dried material in hay, which loses the bitterness without losing the alkaloids. Both plants are Asteraceae and both carry pyrrolizidine alkaloids, so neither is a safe substitute for the other. The damage is cumulative and falls on the liver, not the kidneys. 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 silver ragwort 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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