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Is Common Butterwort toxic to cats?

Pinguicula vulgaris

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists common butterwort 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. Pinguicula is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so pet-safe status cannot be confirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. No serious toxic principle is documented and it has historic culinary use (curdling milk), so ingestion likely causes at most mild stomach upset, but keep it away from pets as a precaution.

What to do if your cat ate common butterwort

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

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

Is common butterwort toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is common butterwort toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists common butterwort 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. Pinguicula is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so pet-safe status cannot be confirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. No serious toxic principle is documented and it has historic culinary use (curdling milk), so ingestion likely causes at most mild stomach upset, but keep it away from pets as a precaution.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats common butterwort?

Pinguicula is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so pet-safe status cannot be confirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. No serious toxic principle is documented and it has historic culinary use (curdling milk), so ingestion likely causes at most mild stomach upset, but keep it away from pets as a precaution. 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 butterwort.

What should I do if my cat ate common butterwort?

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 butterwort toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to common butterwort?

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 butterwort pet-safety