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Pet safety

Is Cauliflower toxic to cats?

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cauliflower 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. Brassica oleracea isothiocyanates can cause GI upset and gas in cats and dogs in quantity.

What to do if your cat ate cauliflower

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

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

Is cauliflower toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is cauliflower toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cauliflower 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. Brassica oleracea isothiocyanates can cause GI upset and gas in cats and dogs in quantity.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats cauliflower?

Brassica oleracea isothiocyanates can cause GI upset and gas in cats and dogs in quantity. 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 cauliflower.

What should I do if my cat ate cauliflower?

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 cauliflower toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to cauliflower?

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 cauliflower pet-safety