Is Cape daisy toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cape daisy 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. Osteospermum ecklonis is not individually listed by ASPCA. Members of the Asteraceae family are generally considered of low toxicity, but some composite daisy family members can cause contact dermatitis or mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested. Treat as mildly toxic as a precaution; not considered severely toxic to dogs or cats.

Osteospermum ecklonis is not individually listed by ASPCA. Members of the Asteraceae family are generally considered of low toxicity, but some composite daisy family members can cause contact dermatitis or mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested. Treat as mildly toxic as a precaution; not considered severely toxic to dogs or cats. 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 cape daisy.

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: Cape daisy is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full cape daisy 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.