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Is Beach Wormwood toxic to cats?

Artemisia stelleriana

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists beach wormwood 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. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA lists Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses (essential oils; clinical signs: vomiting, diarrhea). Other Artemisia species contain similar volatile oils and thujone and are regarded as mildly toxic to pets across the genus. A. stelleriana is not individually listed by ASPCA, but the genus should be treated as mildly toxic out of caution. Contact with foliage may also cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

What to do if your cat ate beach wormwood

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move beach 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 beach wormwood to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten beach wormwood, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is beach wormwood toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is beach wormwood toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists beach wormwood 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. ASPCA lists Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses (essential oils; clinical signs: vomiting, diarrhea). Other Artemisia species contain similar volatile oils and thujone and are regarded as mildly toxic to pets across the genus. A. stelleriana is not individually listed by ASPCA, but the genus should be treated as mildly toxic out of caution. Contact with foliage may also cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats beach wormwood?

ASPCA lists Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses (essential oils; clinical signs: vomiting, diarrhea). Other Artemisia species contain similar volatile oils and thujone and are regarded as mildly toxic to pets across the genus. A. stelleriana is not individually listed by ASPCA, but the genus should be treated as mildly toxic out of caution. Contact with foliage may also cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. 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 beach wormwood.

What should I do if my cat ate beach wormwood?

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.

Is beach wormwood toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Beach Wormwood is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full beach wormwood pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to beach wormwood?

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.

Full beach wormwood pet-safety