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Pet safety

Is Costmary toxic to cats?

Tanacetum balsamita

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists costmary 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. Tanacetum balsamita is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but the Tanacetum genus contains thujone (its relative common tansy, T. vulgare, is recognised as toxic to cats and dogs). Treat costmary as potentially harmful, keep it away from pets, and verify with a vet before any exposure.

What to do if your cat ate costmary

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

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

Is costmary toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is costmary toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists costmary 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. Tanacetum balsamita is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but the Tanacetum genus contains thujone (its relative common tansy, T. vulgare, is recognised as toxic to cats and dogs). Treat costmary as potentially harmful, keep it away from pets, and verify with a vet before any exposure.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats costmary?

Tanacetum balsamita is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but the Tanacetum genus contains thujone (its relative common tansy, T. vulgare, is recognised as toxic to cats and dogs). Treat costmary as potentially harmful, keep it away from pets, and verify with a vet before any exposure. 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 costmary.

What should I do if my cat ate costmary?

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 costmary toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to costmary?

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 costmary pet-safety