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Is Fernleaf yarrow toxic to cats?

Achillea filipendulina

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists fernleaf yarrow 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. Achillea species (milfoil/yarrow) are listed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses by the ASPCA. Toxic principles include glycoalkaloids, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpene lactones, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, anorexia, and dermatitis. A. filipendulina is not individually named but belongs to the same genus with the same toxic principles.

What to do if your cat ate fernleaf yarrow

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

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

Is fernleaf yarrow toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is fernleaf yarrow toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists fernleaf yarrow 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. Achillea species (milfoil/yarrow) are listed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses by the ASPCA. Toxic principles include glycoalkaloids, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpene lactones, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, anorexia, and dermatitis. A. filipendulina is not individually named but belongs to the same genus with the same toxic principles.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats fernleaf yarrow?

Achillea species (milfoil/yarrow) are listed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses by the ASPCA. Toxic principles include glycoalkaloids, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpene lactones, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, anorexia, and dermatitis. A. filipendulina is not individually named but belongs to the same genus with the same toxic principles. 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 fernleaf yarrow.

What should I do if my cat ate fernleaf yarrow?

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 fernleaf yarrow toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to fernleaf yarrow?

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 fernleaf yarrow pet-safety