Pet safety
Is Field Mouse-eartoxic to cats & dogs?
Cerastium arvense
Mildly toxic
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- Yes — mildly
- Toxic to dogs?
- Yes — mildly
- ASPCA classification
- Mildly toxic to pets · botanical name Cerastium arvense
Is field mouse-ear safe for cats and dogs?
Not entirely — field mouse-ear is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. It rarely causes serious harm, but chewing it triggers real discomfort, so keep it out of a pet's reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, the most widely used reference for companion-animal plant safety in the US and the standard most UK vets cite as well. Cerastium arvense is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, which is not a recognized toxic plant group, and no veterinary toxicity reports were identified. Classified as mildly-toxic here as a precaution given the absence of a confirmed ASPCA non-toxic listing; consult a vet if a pet ingests significant amounts.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes (mild) | Mildly toxic to pets |
| Dogs | Yes (mild) | Mildly toxic to pets |
What happens if a pet eats field mouse-ear?
Cerastium arvense is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, which is not a recognized toxic plant group, and no veterinary toxicity reports were identified. Classified as mildly-toxic here as a precaution given the absence of a confirmed ASPCA non-toxic listing; consult a vet if a pet ingests significant amounts. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to field mouse-ear, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate field mouse-ear
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move field mouse-ear out of reach.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
- Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
- Bring a leaf or photo of field mouse-ear to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.
This page is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide rather than the plant. If you are worried, always contact a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Pet-safe alternatives to field mouse-ear
Want the same look without the risk? These plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA and have similar care needs:
- Hoya — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Bromeliad — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Christmas cactus — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- African violet — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
Field Mouse-ear and pets — frequently asked questions
Is field mouse-ear toxic to cats?
Field Mouse-ear (Cerastium arvense) is mildly toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Cerastium arvense is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, which is not a recognized toxic plant group, and no veterinary toxicity reports were identified. Classified as mildly-toxic here as a precaution given the absence of a confirmed ASPCA non-toxic listing; consult a vet if a pet ingests significant amounts. Keep it out of reach and contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if your cat chews it.
Is field mouse-ear toxic to dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Field Mouse-ear (Cerastium arvense) is mildly toxic to dogs. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like field mouse-ear is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats field mouse-ear?
Cerastium arvense is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, which is not a recognized toxic plant group, and no veterinary toxicity reports were identified. Classified as mildly-toxic here as a precaution given the absence of a confirmed ASPCA non-toxic listing; consult a vet if a pet ingests significant amounts. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to field mouse-ear, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate field mouse-ear?
Stay calm. Remove any remaining plant material from your pet's mouth and take the plant away so they cannot eat more. Note roughly how much was eaten and when. Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice. Bringing a photo or a leaf of field mouse-ear to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to field mouse-ear?
If you want a similar look without the risk, good non-toxic swaps include hoya, bromeliad, christmas cactus, african violet. All of these are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, so they suit a home where pets have access to your plants.
Full field mouse-ear care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete field mouse-ear care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.