Pet safety
Is Olympic St. John's Worttoxic to cats & dogs?
Hypericum olympicum
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- Yes — toxic
- Toxic to dogs?
- Yes — toxic
- ASPCA classification
- Toxic to pets · botanical name Hypericum olympicum
Is olympic st. john's wort safe for cats and dogs?
No — olympic st. john's wort is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it well away from any pet that chews plants; reactions can be significant. 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. Hypericum species are listed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses by the ASPCA. The toxic principle is hypericin, which causes photosensitisation — ulcerative dermatitis and skin inflammation on light-coloured animals exposed to sunlight after ingestion. Although H. olympicum is not individually listed by the ASPCA, its genus-level toxicity applies. Keep away from grazing animals and supervise pets around this plant.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes | Toxic to pets |
| Dogs | Yes | Toxic to pets |
What happens if a pet eats olympic st. john's wort?
Hypericum species are listed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses by the ASPCA. The toxic principle is hypericin, which causes photosensitisation — ulcerative dermatitis and skin inflammation on light-coloured animals exposed to sunlight after ingestion. Although H. olympicum is not individually listed by the ASPCA, its genus-level toxicity applies. Keep away from grazing animals and supervise pets around this plant. 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 olympic st. john's wort, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate olympic st. john's wort
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move olympic st. john's wort 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 olympic st. john's wort 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 olympic st. john's wort
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)
Olympic St. John's Wort and pets — frequently asked questions
Is olympic st. john's wort toxic to cats?
Olympic St. John's Wort (Hypericum olympicum) is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Hypericum species are listed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses by the ASPCA. The toxic principle is hypericin, which causes photosensitisation — ulcerative dermatitis and skin inflammation on light-coloured animals exposed to sunlight after ingestion. Although H. olympicum is not individually listed by the ASPCA, its genus-level toxicity applies. Keep away from grazing animals and supervise pets around this plant. 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 olympic st. john's wort toxic to dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Olympic St. John's Wort (Hypericum olympicum) is toxic to dogs. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like olympic st. john's wort is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats olympic st. john's wort?
Hypericum species are listed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses by the ASPCA. The toxic principle is hypericin, which causes photosensitisation — ulcerative dermatitis and skin inflammation on light-coloured animals exposed to sunlight after ingestion. Although H. olympicum is not individually listed by the ASPCA, its genus-level toxicity applies. Keep away from grazing animals and supervise pets around this plant. 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 olympic st. john's wort, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate olympic st. john's wort?
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 olympic st. john's wort to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to olympic st. john's wort?
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 olympic st. john's wort care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete olympic st. john's wort care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.