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Is Common Camas toxic to cats?

Camassia quamash

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists common camas 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. Camassia quamash is not listed on the ASPCA toxic plant database and the bulbs are a traditional human food when correctly identified. However, the corms contain saponins and steroidal compounds that may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested raw by pets. The critical danger is misidentification with death camas (Anticlea elegans), which is highly toxic — always verify the source of any bulbs. Treat as mildly toxic for pets as a precaution.

What to do if your cat ate common camas

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

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

Is common camas toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is common camas toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists common camas 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. Camassia quamash is not listed on the ASPCA toxic plant database and the bulbs are a traditional human food when correctly identified. However, the corms contain saponins and steroidal compounds that may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested raw by pets. The critical danger is misidentification with death camas (Anticlea elegans), which is highly toxic — always verify the source of any bulbs. Treat as mildly toxic for pets as a precaution.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats common camas?

Camassia quamash is not listed on the ASPCA toxic plant database and the bulbs are a traditional human food when correctly identified. However, the corms contain saponins and steroidal compounds that may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested raw by pets. The critical danger is misidentification with death camas (Anticlea elegans), which is highly toxic — always verify the source of any bulbs. Treat as mildly toxic for 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 camas.

What should I do if my cat ate common camas?

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 camas toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to common camas?

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 camas pet-safety