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Pet safety

Is Dark Mullein toxic to cats?

Verbascum nigrum

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists dark mullein 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. Verbascum nigrum is not individually listed on ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant lists. Like other Verbascum species, it contains iridoid glycosides and aucubin, and seeds contain rotenone-related compounds. Mild gastrointestinal irritation is possible if ingested in quantity by pets or people. Traditional use of the flowers in herbal tea preparations exists, but raw plant material should not be consumed without professional guidance. Regarded as low overall toxicity risk.

What to do if your cat ate dark mullein

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

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

Is dark mullein toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is dark mullein toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists dark mullein 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. Verbascum nigrum is not individually listed on ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant lists. Like other Verbascum species, it contains iridoid glycosides and aucubin, and seeds contain rotenone-related compounds. Mild gastrointestinal irritation is possible if ingested in quantity by pets or people. Traditional use of the flowers in herbal tea preparations exists, but raw plant material should not be consumed without professional guidance. Regarded as low overall toxicity risk.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats dark mullein?

Verbascum nigrum is not individually listed on ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant lists. Like other Verbascum species, it contains iridoid glycosides and aucubin, and seeds contain rotenone-related compounds. Mild gastrointestinal irritation is possible if ingested in quantity by pets or people. Traditional use of the flowers in herbal tea preparations exists, but raw plant material should not be consumed without professional guidance. Regarded as low overall toxicity risk. 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 dark mullein.

What should I do if my cat ate dark mullein?

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 dark mullein toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to dark mullein?

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 dark mullein pet-safety