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Pet safety

Is Foxglove beardtongue toxic to cats?

Penstemon digitalis

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists foxglove beardtongue 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. Penstemon digitalis is not individually listed by the ASPCA. Members of the Plantaginaceae family (including Penstemon) are not well-documented as seriously toxic, but iridoid glycosides present in some related genera may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in quantity. Treat with caution around pets and children.

What to do if your cat ate foxglove beardtongue

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move foxglove beardtongue 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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of foxglove beardtongue to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten foxglove beardtongue, contact 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 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is foxglove beardtongue toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is foxglove beardtongue toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists foxglove beardtongue 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. Penstemon digitalis is not individually listed by the ASPCA. Members of the Plantaginaceae family (including Penstemon) are not well-documented as seriously toxic, but iridoid glycosides present in some related genera may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in quantity. Treat with caution around pets and children.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats foxglove beardtongue?

Penstemon digitalis is not individually listed by the ASPCA. Members of the Plantaginaceae family (including Penstemon) are not well-documented as seriously toxic, but iridoid glycosides present in some related genera may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in quantity. Treat with caution around pets and children. 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 foxglove beardtongue.

What should I do if my cat ate foxglove beardtongue?

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.

Is foxglove beardtongue toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to foxglove beardtongue?

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.

Type any plant to see what the ASPCA says about it and your cat.

Full foxglove beardtongue pet-safety

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