Pet safety
Is Hart's Pennyroyaltoxic to cats & dogs?
Mentha cervina
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- Yes — mildly
- Toxic to dogs?
- Yes — mildly
- ASPCA classification
- Mildly toxic to pets · botanical name Mentha cervina
Is hart's pennyroyal safe for cats and dogs?
Use caution. Hart's Pennyroyal is on the mildly-toxic side of the ASPCA list. Most ingestions are short-lived but unpleasant for the pet; the cost-free fix is a placement they can't 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. Mentha cervina (Hart's Pennyroyal) is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The Mentha genus is generally considered non-toxic to dogs and cats at small doses, but concentrated mint oils (pulegone) in related pennyroyal species (especially Mentha pulegium) are hepatotoxic in cats and dogs. As a pennyroyal-type mint of uncertain oil profile, caution is warranted: keep away from pets and do not administer as an essential oil or extract to animals. Consult a veterinarian before allowing pet access.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes (mild) | Mildly toxic to pets |
| Dogs | Yes (mild) | Mildly toxic to pets |
What happens if a pet eats hart's pennyroyal?
Mentha cervina (Hart's Pennyroyal) is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The Mentha genus is generally considered non-toxic to dogs and cats at small doses, but concentrated mint oils (pulegone) in related pennyroyal species (especially Mentha pulegium) are hepatotoxic in cats and dogs. As a pennyroyal-type mint of uncertain oil profile, caution is warranted: keep away from pets and do not administer as an essential oil or extract to animals. Consult a veterinarian before allowing pet access. 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 hart's pennyroyal, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate hart's pennyroyal
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move hart's pennyroyal 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 hart's pennyroyal 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 hart's pennyroyal
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:
- Basil — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Herb garden — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Rosemary — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Thyme — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
Hart's Pennyroyal and pets — frequently asked questions
Is hart's pennyroyal toxic to cats?
Hart's Pennyroyal (Mentha cervina) is mildly toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Mentha cervina (Hart's Pennyroyal) is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The Mentha genus is generally considered non-toxic to dogs and cats at small doses, but concentrated mint oils (pulegone) in related pennyroyal species (especially Mentha pulegium) are hepatotoxic in cats and dogs. As a pennyroyal-type mint of uncertain oil profile, caution is warranted: keep away from pets and do not administer as an essential oil or extract to animals. Consult a veterinarian before allowing pet access. 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 hart's pennyroyal toxic to dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Hart's Pennyroyal (Mentha cervina) is mildly toxic to dogs. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like hart's pennyroyal is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats hart's pennyroyal?
Mentha cervina (Hart's Pennyroyal) is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The Mentha genus is generally considered non-toxic to dogs and cats at small doses, but concentrated mint oils (pulegone) in related pennyroyal species (especially Mentha pulegium) are hepatotoxic in cats and dogs. As a pennyroyal-type mint of uncertain oil profile, caution is warranted: keep away from pets and do not administer as an essential oil or extract to animals. Consult a veterinarian before allowing pet access. 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 hart's pennyroyal, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate hart's pennyroyal?
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 hart's pennyroyal to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to hart's pennyroyal?
If you want a similar look without the risk, good non-toxic swaps include basil, herb garden, rosemary, thyme. 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 hart's pennyroyal care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete hart's pennyroyal care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.