Is Fish Pepper toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists fish pepper 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. Capsicum annuum (the Fish pepper) is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic plant list, so pet-safe status cannot be affirmatively claimed; the ASPCA 'Ornamental Pepper' listing is for Solanum pseudocapsicum, a different plant. Capsaicin in these medium-hot pods is a mucous-membrane and GI irritant to cats and dogs, so treat with caution, keep pods and the attractive foliage out of reach, and consult a vet if a pet ingests any.

Capsicum annuum (the Fish pepper) is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic plant list, so pet-safe status cannot be affirmatively claimed; the ASPCA 'Ornamental Pepper' listing is for Solanum pseudocapsicum, a different plant. Capsaicin in these medium-hot pods is a mucous-membrane and GI irritant to cats and dogs, so treat with caution, keep pods and the attractive foliage out of reach, and consult a vet if a pet ingests any. 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 fish pepper.

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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

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

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.