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Pet safety

Is Eyebright toxic to cats?

Euphrasia nemorosa

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists eyebright 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. Euphrasia nemorosa is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. It has a long history of medicinal use in herbal eye remedies (hence the common name), and no significant toxic principles have been documented. Classified as mildly-toxic rather than pet-safe as a precaution, since its absence from the ASPCA database means confirmed non-toxic status cannot be stated.

What to do if your cat ate eyebright

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

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

Is eyebright toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is eyebright toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists eyebright 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. Euphrasia nemorosa is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. It has a long history of medicinal use in herbal eye remedies (hence the common name), and no significant toxic principles have been documented. Classified as mildly-toxic rather than pet-safe as a precaution, since its absence from the ASPCA database means confirmed non-toxic status cannot be stated.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats eyebright?

Euphrasia nemorosa is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. It has a long history of medicinal use in herbal eye remedies (hence the common name), and no significant toxic principles have been documented. Classified as mildly-toxic rather than pet-safe as a precaution, since its absence from the ASPCA database means confirmed non-toxic status cannot be stated. 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 eyebright.

What should I do if my cat ate eyebright?

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 eyebright toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to eyebright?

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 eyebright pet-safety