Is Creeping Charlie toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists creeping charlie 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. Glechoma hederacea is not individually listed by ASPCA for cats and dogs. It is documented as toxic to horses in large quantities, where volatile oils (including pulegone-related terpenoids) cause neurological and respiratory signs. For dogs and cats, ingestion of small amounts may cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, drooling, diarrhea). Exercise caution with pets that chew plants; consult a vet if significant ingestion occurs.

Glechoma hederacea is not individually listed by ASPCA for cats and dogs. It is documented as toxic to horses in large quantities, where volatile oils (including pulegone-related terpenoids) cause neurological and respiratory signs. For dogs and cats, ingestion of small amounts may cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, drooling, diarrhea). Exercise caution with pets that chew plants; consult a vet if significant ingestion occurs. 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 creeping charlie.

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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

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

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.