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Is Common Grape Hyacinth toxic to cats?

Muscari botryoides

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists common grape hyacinth 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. Muscari species contain steroidal saponins throughout the plant, with highest concentrations in the bulbs. Ingestion can cause nausea, drooling, and gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats. ASPCA lists Muscari (grape hyacinth) as toxic to dogs and cats. The bulbs represent the greatest hazard.

What to do if your cat ate common grape hyacinth

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

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

Is common grape hyacinth toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is common grape hyacinth toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists common grape hyacinth 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. Muscari species contain steroidal saponins throughout the plant, with highest concentrations in the bulbs. Ingestion can cause nausea, drooling, and gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats. ASPCA lists Muscari (grape hyacinth) as toxic to dogs and cats. The bulbs represent the greatest hazard.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats common grape hyacinth?

Muscari species contain steroidal saponins throughout the plant, with highest concentrations in the bulbs. Ingestion can cause nausea, drooling, and gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats. ASPCA lists Muscari (grape hyacinth) as toxic to dogs and cats. The bulbs represent the greatest hazard. 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 grape hyacinth.

What should I do if my cat ate common grape hyacinth?

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 grape hyacinth toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to common grape hyacinth?

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 grape hyacinth pet-safety