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Is Common Vervain toxic to cats?

Verbena officinalis

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists common vervain 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. Verbena officinalis is not listed as toxic by ASPCA for cats or dogs, but the herb contains iridoid glycosides (verbenalin, aucubin) that may cause mild gastrointestinal upset — nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea — if large quantities are ingested by pets or humans. The ornamental Verbena hybrida is listed by ASPCA as non-toxic; V. officinalis is not individually assessed, so treat with caution and keep away from pets prone to plant chewing.

What to do if your cat ate common vervain

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

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

Is common vervain toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is common vervain toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists common vervain 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. Verbena officinalis is not listed as toxic by ASPCA for cats or dogs, but the herb contains iridoid glycosides (verbenalin, aucubin) that may cause mild gastrointestinal upset — nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea — if large quantities are ingested by pets or humans. The ornamental Verbena hybrida is listed by ASPCA as non-toxic; V. officinalis is not individually assessed, so treat with caution and keep away from pets prone to plant chewing.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats common vervain?

Verbena officinalis is not listed as toxic by ASPCA for cats or dogs, but the herb contains iridoid glycosides (verbenalin, aucubin) that may cause mild gastrointestinal upset — nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea — if large quantities are ingested by pets or humans. The ornamental Verbena hybrida is listed by ASPCA as non-toxic; V. officinalis is not individually assessed, so treat with caution and keep away from pets prone to plant chewing. 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 vervain.

What should I do if my cat ate common vervain?

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 vervain toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to common vervain?

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 vervain pet-safety