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Pet safety

Is Common Broomrape toxic to cats?

Orobanche minor

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists common broomrape 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. Orobanche minor is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. No well-documented toxicity cases in pets are on record, but the plant contains iridoid glycosides and is uneaten by most herbivores; classified as mildly-toxic due to insufficient safety data rather than confirmed harm.

What to do if your cat ate common broomrape

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

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

Is common broomrape toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is common broomrape toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists common broomrape 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. Orobanche minor is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. No well-documented toxicity cases in pets are on record, but the plant contains iridoid glycosides and is uneaten by most herbivores; classified as mildly-toxic due to insufficient safety data rather than confirmed harm.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats common broomrape?

Orobanche minor is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. No well-documented toxicity cases in pets are on record, but the plant contains iridoid glycosides and is uneaten by most herbivores; classified as mildly-toxic due to insufficient safety data rather than confirmed harm. 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 common broomrape.

What should I do if my cat ate common broomrape?

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 common broomrape toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to common broomrape?

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 common broomrape pet-safety