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Pet safety

Is Flowering coleus toxic to cats?

Plectranthus scutellarioides

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists flowering 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 Plectranthus scutellarioides as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to essential oils. Causes vomiting, diarrhoea, and depression.

What to do if your cat ate flowering coleus

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

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

Is flowering coleus toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is flowering coleus toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists flowering 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 Plectranthus scutellarioides as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to essential oils. Causes vomiting, diarrhoea, and depression.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats flowering coleus?

ASPCA lists Plectranthus scutellarioides as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to essential oils. Causes 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 flowering coleus.

What should I do if my cat ate flowering 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 flowering coleus toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to flowering 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 flowering coleus pet-safety