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Pet safety

Is Betony toxic to cats?

Stachys betonica

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists betony 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. Betony is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so a pet-safe status cannot be asserted; treat with caution and verify with a vet. No notable toxic principle is documented and it has a long human medicinal history, but its tannin content can irritate the digestive tract, and large ingestion of any plant may cause vomiting or gastrointestinal upset in cats and dogs.

What to do if your cat ate betony

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

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

Is betony toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is betony toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists betony 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. Betony is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so a pet-safe status cannot be asserted; treat with caution and verify with a vet. No notable toxic principle is documented and it has a long human medicinal history, but its tannin content can irritate the digestive tract, and large ingestion of any plant may cause vomiting or gastrointestinal upset in cats and dogs.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats betony?

Betony is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so a pet-safe status cannot be asserted; treat with caution and verify with a vet. No notable toxic principle is documented and it has a long human medicinal history, but its tannin content can irritate the digestive tract, and large ingestion of any plant may cause vomiting or gastrointestinal upset in cats and dogs. 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 betony.

What should I do if my cat ate betony?

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 betony toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to betony?

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 betony pet-safety