Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Wormwoodtoxic to cats & dogs?

Artemisia absinthium

Toxic to pets

Is wormwood safe for cats and dogs?

No — wormwood is toxic to cats and dogs and should be kept well away from pets that chew plants. 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. Artemisia absinthium contains thujone and absinthin. ASPCA lists Artemisia as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses; large ingestions can cause vomiting, seizures, and liver damage. Decorative use only.

What happens if a pet eats wormwood?

Artemisia absinthium contains thujone and absinthin. ASPCA lists Artemisia as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses; large ingestions can cause vomiting, seizures, and liver damage. Decorative use only. 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 wormwood, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.

What to do if your pet ate wormwood

  1. Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move wormwood out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of wormwood 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 wormwood

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:

Wormwood and pets — frequently asked questions

Is wormwood toxic to cats?

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is toxic to pets to cats according to the ASPCA. Artemisia absinthium contains thujone and absinthin. ASPCA lists Artemisia as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses; large ingestions can cause vomiting, seizures, and liver damage. Decorative use only. 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 wormwood toxic to dogs?

The ASPCA lists the same toxicity status for dogs as for cats: Wormwood is toxic to pets. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like wormwood is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.

What happens if my pet eats wormwood?

Artemisia absinthium contains thujone and absinthin. ASPCA lists Artemisia as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses; large ingestions can cause vomiting, seizures, and liver damage. Decorative use only. 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 wormwood, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.

What should I do if my cat or dog ate wormwood?

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 wormwood to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.

What are pet-safe alternatives to wormwood?

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 wormwood care

Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete wormwood care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.