Pet safety
Is Small-flowered calibrachoatoxic to cats & dogs?
Calibrachoa parviflora
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- Yes — mildly
- Toxic to dogs?
- Yes — mildly
- ASPCA classification
- Mildly toxic to pets · botanical name Calibrachoa parviflora
Is small-flowered calibrachoa safe for cats and dogs?
Not entirely — small-flowered calibrachoa 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. Calibrachoa parviflora is in the Solanaceae family, which contains alkaloids with potential to cause mild gastrointestinal irritation in pets if ingested. Not individually listed by the ASPCA, but the family relationship warrants caution. Not considered severely toxic.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes (mild) | Mildly toxic to pets |
| Dogs | Yes (mild) | Mildly toxic to pets |
What happens if a pet eats small-flowered calibrachoa?
Calibrachoa parviflora is in the Solanaceae family, which contains alkaloids with potential to cause mild gastrointestinal irritation in pets if ingested. Not individually listed by the ASPCA, but the family relationship warrants caution. Not considered severely toxic. 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 small-flowered calibrachoa, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate small-flowered calibrachoa
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move small-flowered calibrachoa 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 small-flowered calibrachoa 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 small-flowered calibrachoa
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)
Small-flowered calibrachoa and pets — frequently asked questions
Is small-flowered calibrachoa toxic to cats?
Small-flowered calibrachoa (Calibrachoa parviflora) is mildly toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Calibrachoa parviflora is in the Solanaceae family, which contains alkaloids with potential to cause mild gastrointestinal irritation in pets if ingested. Not individually listed by the ASPCA, but the family relationship warrants caution. Not considered severely toxic. 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 small-flowered calibrachoa toxic to dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Small-flowered calibrachoa (Calibrachoa parviflora) is mildly toxic to dogs. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like small-flowered calibrachoa is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats small-flowered calibrachoa?
Calibrachoa parviflora is in the Solanaceae family, which contains alkaloids with potential to cause mild gastrointestinal irritation in pets if ingested. Not individually listed by the ASPCA, but the family relationship warrants caution. Not considered severely toxic. 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 small-flowered calibrachoa, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate small-flowered calibrachoa?
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 small-flowered calibrachoa to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to small-flowered calibrachoa?
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 small-flowered calibrachoa care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete small-flowered calibrachoa care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.