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If your cat ate sweet flag — 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.

Sweet Flag is toxic to cats (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My cat ate Sweet Flag — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take sweet flag 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 sweet flag — FAQ

Is sweet flag poisonous to cats?

Yes — Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus) is regarded as toxic to cats, based on genus- and family-level toxicity data. Acorus calamus is toxic to pets. The foliage and rhizome contain β-asarone (and related alkenylbenzenes), which is potentially carcinogenic and can cause vomiting and, in dogs, seizures on ingestion. While Acorus is not on the named ASPCA list, multiple toxicology sources document its toxic principle, so it should be kept away from cats, dogs and children; contact a vet if any part is eaten.

How serious is it if my cat ate sweet flag?

Sweet Flag 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. Acorus calamus is toxic to pets. The foliage and rhizome contain β-asarone (and related alkenylbenzenes), which is potentially carcinogenic and can cause vomiting and, in dogs, seizures on ingestion. While Acorus is not on the named ASPCA list, multiple toxicology sources document its toxic principle, so it should be kept away from cats, dogs and children; contact a vet if any part is eaten. 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 sweet flag 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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