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Pet safety

Is Cat's-ear toxic to cats?

Hypochaeris radicata

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cat's-ear 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. The ASPCA lists Hypochaeris radicata (Catsear) as toxic to horses, causing stringhalt — an exaggerated flexion of the hind legs leading to a hopping gait; the toxic principle is unknown. Its toxicity to cats and dogs is not confirmed in the ASPCA database. A mildly-toxic classification is applied as a precaution for companion animals until species-specific data is available. Consult a veterinarian promptly if ingestion is suspected.

What to do if your cat ate cat's-ear

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

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

Is cat's-ear toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is cat's-ear toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cat's-ear 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. The ASPCA lists Hypochaeris radicata (Catsear) as toxic to horses, causing stringhalt — an exaggerated flexion of the hind legs leading to a hopping gait; the toxic principle is unknown. Its toxicity to cats and dogs is not confirmed in the ASPCA database. A mildly-toxic classification is applied as a precaution for companion animals until species-specific data is available. Consult a veterinarian promptly if ingestion is suspected.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats cat's-ear?

The ASPCA lists Hypochaeris radicata (Catsear) as toxic to horses, causing stringhalt — an exaggerated flexion of the hind legs leading to a hopping gait; the toxic principle is unknown. Its toxicity to cats and dogs is not confirmed in the ASPCA database. A mildly-toxic classification is applied as a precaution for companion animals until species-specific data is available. Consult a veterinarian promptly if ingestion is suspected. 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 cat's-ear.

What should I do if my cat ate cat's-ear?

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 cat's-ear toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Cat's-ear is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full cat's-ear pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to cat's-ear?

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 cat's-ear pet-safety