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Pet safety

Is Crepe Ginger toxic to cats?

Costus speciosus

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists crepe ginger 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. Costus speciosus contains steroidal saponins including diosgenin and dioscin, primarily concentrated in the rhizomes and seeds. The ASPCA does not have a specific database entry for Costus; however, the saponin content means ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset (drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea) in cats and dogs. Treat as mildly toxic and keep pets away from rhizomes in particular.

What to do if your cat ate crepe ginger

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

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

Is crepe ginger toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is crepe ginger toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists crepe ginger 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. Costus speciosus contains steroidal saponins including diosgenin and dioscin, primarily concentrated in the rhizomes and seeds. The ASPCA does not have a specific database entry for Costus; however, the saponin content means ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset (drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea) in cats and dogs. Treat as mildly toxic and keep pets away from rhizomes in particular.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats crepe ginger?

Costus speciosus contains steroidal saponins including diosgenin and dioscin, primarily concentrated in the rhizomes and seeds. The ASPCA does not have a specific database entry for Costus; however, the saponin content means ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset (drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea) in cats and dogs. Treat as mildly toxic and keep pets away from rhizomes in particular. 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 crepe ginger.

What should I do if my cat ate crepe ginger?

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 crepe ginger toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to crepe ginger?

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 crepe ginger pet-safety