Growli
Get the app

Pet safety

Is Carrot-leaved Pelargonium toxic to cats?

Pelargonium rapaceum

Toxic to cats

Yes — carrot-leaved pelargonium is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA lists Pelargonium spp. as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, with geraniol and linalool as the toxic principles. Signs of ingestion include vomiting, anorexia, depression, and contact dermatitis. The toxic risk applies to all plant parts.

What to do if your cat ate carrot-leaved pelargonium

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move carrot-leaved pelargonium 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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of carrot-leaved pelargonium to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten carrot-leaved pelargonium, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is carrot-leaved pelargonium toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is carrot-leaved pelargonium toxic to cats?

Yes — carrot-leaved pelargonium is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. ASPCA lists Pelargonium spp. as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, with geraniol and linalool as the toxic principles. Signs of ingestion include vomiting, anorexia, depression, and contact dermatitis. The toxic risk applies to all plant parts.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats carrot-leaved pelargonium?

ASPCA lists Pelargonium spp. as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, with geraniol and linalool as the toxic principles. Signs of ingestion include vomiting, anorexia, depression, and contact dermatitis. The toxic risk applies to all plant parts. 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 carrot-leaved pelargonium.

What should I do if my cat ate carrot-leaved pelargonium?

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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is carrot-leaved pelargonium toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Carrot-leaved Pelargonium is toxic to dogs as well. See the full carrot-leaved pelargonium pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to carrot-leaved pelargonium?

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.

Type any plant to see what the ASPCA says about it and your cat.

Full carrot-leaved pelargonium pet-safety

Writing about plant safety? Embed our free pet-toxicity checker on your site — ASPCA-grounded verdicts for 11,000+ plants, no sign-up.