Is Axillary Balm toxic to cats?

No — axillary balm is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats. It is a sensible choice for a home with a cat; a curious nibble will not poison them, though no plant is meant to be eaten. Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) is listed as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses by the ASPCA. Melissa axillaris belongs to the same genus in Lamiaceae and has no reported toxic principles. It is not individually listed by ASPCA, but genus-level evidence strongly supports a pet-safe classification; always supervise pets that chew large amounts of any herb.

Yes — the ASPCA lists axillary balm as non-toxic to cats and dogs. A cat that chews a large amount of any foliage can still get a mild, brief stomach upset, so discourage grazing, but it will not be poisoned.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Axillary Balm is non-toxic to dogs as well. See the full axillary balm pet-safety guide for both species.

Reliable ASPCA non-toxic picks for a cat home include spider plant, calathea, parlor palm, peperomia, and most true ferns. Browse the best cats-safe plants list to check more before you buy.