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Is Common Wormwood toxic to cats?

Artemisia absinthium

Toxic to cats

Yes — common wormwood is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. Artemisia absinthium contains the monoterpene thujone and the bitter glycoside absinthin. The North Carolina Extension Plant Toolbox lists it as a problem for both cats and dogs, and veterinary toxicology sources note that ingestion of significant quantities can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, neurological signs including tremors or seizures, and liver damage. Thujone acts as a GABA-A receptor antagonist. Keep pets away from this plant.

What to do if your cat ate common wormwood

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

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

Is common wormwood toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is common wormwood toxic to cats?

Yes — common wormwood is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. Artemisia absinthium contains the monoterpene thujone and the bitter glycoside absinthin. The North Carolina Extension Plant Toolbox lists it as a problem for both cats and dogs, and veterinary toxicology sources note that ingestion of significant quantities can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, neurological signs including tremors or seizures, and liver damage. Thujone acts as a GABA-A receptor antagonist. Keep pets away from this plant.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats common wormwood?

Artemisia absinthium contains the monoterpene thujone and the bitter glycoside absinthin. The North Carolina Extension Plant Toolbox lists it as a problem for both cats and dogs, and veterinary toxicology sources note that ingestion of significant quantities can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, neurological signs including tremors or seizures, and liver damage. Thujone acts as a GABA-A receptor antagonist. Keep pets away from this plant. 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 wormwood.

What should I do if my cat ate common wormwood?

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 wormwood toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to common wormwood?

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 wormwood pet-safety