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Is Common Ginger toxic to cats?

Zingiber officinale

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists common ginger 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. Zingiber officinale is not individually listed under its botanical name on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. VCA Animal Hospitals and multiple veterinary sources note ginger is safe in small amounts for cats and dogs and is used medicinally in veterinary practice; however, large quantities may cause gastrointestinal upset, and ginger should be avoided in animals with bleeding disorders, gallbladder disease, or those that are pregnant. Classified here as mildly-toxic in the absence of an explicit ASPCA 'non-toxic' listing — consult your vet before intentional use.

What to do if your cat ate common ginger

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

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

Is common ginger toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is common ginger toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists common ginger 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. Zingiber officinale is not individually listed under its botanical name on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. VCA Animal Hospitals and multiple veterinary sources note ginger is safe in small amounts for cats and dogs and is used medicinally in veterinary practice; however, large quantities may cause gastrointestinal upset, and ginger should be avoided in animals with bleeding disorders, gallbladder disease, or those that are pregnant. Classified here as mildly-toxic in the absence of an explicit ASPCA 'non-toxic' listing — consult your vet before intentional use.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats common ginger?

Zingiber officinale is not individually listed under its botanical name on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. VCA Animal Hospitals and multiple veterinary sources note ginger is safe in small amounts for cats and dogs and is used medicinally in veterinary practice; however, large quantities may cause gastrointestinal upset, and ginger should be avoided in animals with bleeding disorders, gallbladder disease, or those that are pregnant. Classified here as mildly-toxic in the absence of an explicit ASPCA 'non-toxic' listing — consult your vet before intentional use. 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 ginger.

What should I do if my cat ate common ginger?

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 ginger toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to common ginger?

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 ginger pet-safety