Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Fairy Flax toxic to cats?

Linum catharticum

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists fairy flax 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. Linum catharticum contains linamarin, a cyanogenic glycoside. Livestock (particularly cattle and sheep) can be poisoned if they consume significant quantities; cyanide released on digestion blocks oxygen delivery to tissues. The plant is reportedly avoided by grazing animals due to bitter taste. No specific ASPCA listing exists for this species; classified as mildly-toxic given the confirmed cyanogenic glycoside content. Pets should be kept away from this plant.

What to do if your cat ate fairy flax

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

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

Is fairy flax toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is fairy flax toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists fairy flax 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. Linum catharticum contains linamarin, a cyanogenic glycoside. Livestock (particularly cattle and sheep) can be poisoned if they consume significant quantities; cyanide released on digestion blocks oxygen delivery to tissues. The plant is reportedly avoided by grazing animals due to bitter taste. No specific ASPCA listing exists for this species; classified as mildly-toxic given the confirmed cyanogenic glycoside content. Pets should be kept away from this plant.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats fairy flax?

Linum catharticum contains linamarin, a cyanogenic glycoside. Livestock (particularly cattle and sheep) can be poisoned if they consume significant quantities; cyanide released on digestion blocks oxygen delivery to tissues. The plant is reportedly avoided by grazing animals due to bitter taste. No specific ASPCA listing exists for this species; classified as mildly-toxic given the confirmed cyanogenic glycoside content. Pets should be kept away from 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 fairy flax.

What should I do if my cat ate fairy flax?

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 fairy flax toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to fairy flax?

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 fairy flax pet-safety