Pet safety
Is Blue Oat Grass toxic to cats?
Helictotrichon sempervirens
Mildly. The ASPCA lists blue oat grass 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. Helictotrichon sempervirens is not individually listed by the ASPCA on either its toxic or non-toxic plant lists, and no specific toxic principle is documented. Treat with caution and verify with a vet: as with other ornamental grasses, ingested foliage can cause mild vomiting or gastrointestinal upset, and fibrous blades may irritate the digestive tract.
What to do if your cat ate blue oat grass
- Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move blue oat grass out of reach.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
- Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
- Bring a leaf or photo of blue oat grass to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.
General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten blue oat grass, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Is blue oat grass toxic to cats? — FAQ
Is blue oat grass toxic to cats?
Mildly. The ASPCA lists blue oat grass 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. Helictotrichon sempervirens is not individually listed by the ASPCA on either its toxic or non-toxic plant lists, and no specific toxic principle is documented. Treat with caution and verify with a vet: as with other ornamental grasses, ingested foliage can cause mild vomiting or gastrointestinal upset, and fibrous blades may irritate the digestive tract.
What are the symptoms if a cat eats blue oat grass?
Helictotrichon sempervirens is not individually listed by the ASPCA on either its toxic or non-toxic plant lists, and no specific toxic principle is documented. Treat with caution and verify with a vet: as with other ornamental grasses, ingested foliage can cause mild vomiting or gastrointestinal upset, and fibrous blades may irritate the digestive tract. 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 blue oat grass.
What should I do if my cat ate blue oat grass?
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 blue oat grass toxic to dogs too?
The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Blue Oat Grass is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full blue oat grass pet-safety guide for both species.
What is a cat-safe alternative to blue oat grass?
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 blue oat grass pet-safety
- Is blue oat grass toxic to cats and dogs? — the full guide for both pets
- Is blue oat grass toxic to dogs?
- My cat ate blue oat grass — emergency steps
- Best cats-safe plants — the full ASPCA non-toxic list
- Complete blue oat grass care guide