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Pet safety

Is Downy Painted Cup toxic to cats?

Castilleja sessiliflora

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists downy painted cup 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. Castilleja sessiliflora is a secondary selenium accumulator: in high-selenium soils it concentrates selenium in leaf and root tissue to potentially toxic levels. ASPCA does not list the genus as definitively safe; ingestion may cause selenium-related symptoms (lethargy, hair loss, hoof/nail changes in livestock, gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats). Keep pets from grazing this plant.

What to do if your cat ate downy painted cup

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

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

Is downy painted cup toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is downy painted cup toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists downy painted cup 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. Castilleja sessiliflora is a secondary selenium accumulator: in high-selenium soils it concentrates selenium in leaf and root tissue to potentially toxic levels. ASPCA does not list the genus as definitively safe; ingestion may cause selenium-related symptoms (lethargy, hair loss, hoof/nail changes in livestock, gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats). Keep pets from grazing this plant.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats downy painted cup?

Castilleja sessiliflora is a secondary selenium accumulator: in high-selenium soils it concentrates selenium in leaf and root tissue to potentially toxic levels. ASPCA does not list the genus as definitively safe; ingestion may cause selenium-related symptoms (lethargy, hair loss, hoof/nail changes in livestock, gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats). Keep pets from grazing 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 downy painted cup.

What should I do if my cat ate downy painted cup?

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 downy painted cup toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Downy Painted Cup is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full downy painted cup pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to downy painted cup?

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 downy painted cup pet-safety