Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Common Centaury toxic to cats?

Centaurium erythraea

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists common centaury 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. Centaurium erythraea is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. As a gentian-family bitter herb it contains secoiridoid glycosides (amarogentin-related compounds); these are recognised as bitter digestive stimulants in humans and are considered low toxicity, but no specific veterinary safety clearance exists. Classified as mildly-toxic as a precaution; consult a vet if a pet ingests large quantities.

What to do if your cat ate common centaury

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

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

Is common centaury toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is common centaury toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists common centaury 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. Centaurium erythraea is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. As a gentian-family bitter herb it contains secoiridoid glycosides (amarogentin-related compounds); these are recognised as bitter digestive stimulants in humans and are considered low toxicity, but no specific veterinary safety clearance exists. Classified as mildly-toxic as a precaution; consult a vet if a pet ingests large quantities.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats common centaury?

Centaurium erythraea is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. As a gentian-family bitter herb it contains secoiridoid glycosides (amarogentin-related compounds); these are recognised as bitter digestive stimulants in humans and are considered low toxicity, but no specific veterinary safety clearance exists. Classified as mildly-toxic as a precaution; consult a vet if a pet ingests large quantities. 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 centaury.

What should I do if my cat ate common centaury?

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 centaury toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to common centaury?

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 centaury pet-safety