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Pet safety

Is Coleus toxic to cats?

Coleus scutellarioides

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists coleus 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. ASPCA lists Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to essential oils. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, and depression.

What to do if your cat ate coleus

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

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

Is coleus toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is coleus toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists coleus 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. ASPCA lists Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to essential oils. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, and depression.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats coleus?

ASPCA lists Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to essential oils. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, and depression. 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 coleus.

What should I do if my cat ate coleus?

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 coleus toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to coleus?

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 coleus pet-safety