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Is Farrer's Gentian toxic to cats?

Gentiana farreri

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists farrer's gentian 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. Gentiana farreri is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database. The genus Gentiana contains bitter secoiridoid glycosides (including gentiopicroside and amarogentin) that may cause mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhoea if ingested by cats or dogs in quantity. A mildly-toxic rating is applied as a precaution pending specific ASPCA confirmation.

What to do if your cat ate farrer's gentian

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

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

Is farrer's gentian toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is farrer's gentian toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists farrer's gentian 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. Gentiana farreri is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database. The genus Gentiana contains bitter secoiridoid glycosides (including gentiopicroside and amarogentin) that may cause mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhoea if ingested by cats or dogs in quantity. A mildly-toxic rating is applied as a precaution pending specific ASPCA confirmation.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats farrer's gentian?

Gentiana farreri is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database. The genus Gentiana contains bitter secoiridoid glycosides (including gentiopicroside and amarogentin) that may cause mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhoea if ingested by cats or dogs in quantity. A mildly-toxic rating is applied as a precaution pending specific ASPCA confirmation. 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 farrer's gentian.

What should I do if my cat ate farrer's gentian?

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 farrer's gentian toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Farrer's Gentian is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full farrer's gentian pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to farrer's gentian?

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 farrer's gentian pet-safety