Is Bacopa australis toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists bacopa australis as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Bacopa is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, so a definitive pet-safety rating cannot be given; treat with caution and verify with a vet. As a submerged aquarium plant it is rarely reachable by pets, but any ingestion could cause mild gastrointestinal upset.

Bacopa is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, so a definitive pet-safety rating cannot be given; treat with caution and verify with a vet. As a submerged aquarium plant it is rarely reachable by pets, but any ingestion could cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to bacopa australis.

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Bacopa australis is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full bacopa australis pet-safety guide for both species.

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.