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Is Garden Catmint toxic to cats?

Nepeta x faassenii

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists garden catmint 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. Nepeta. The ASPCA lists catnip (Nepeta cataria), the closest listed relative, as toxic to cats; toxic principle nepetalactone, with vomiting and diarrhoea and sedation or excitation. Garden catmint shares this aromatic oil, so treat as mildly toxic and verify with a vet if a pet ingests large amounts.

What to do if your cat ate garden catmint

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

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

Is garden catmint toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is garden catmint toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists garden catmint 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. Nepeta. The ASPCA lists catnip (Nepeta cataria), the closest listed relative, as toxic to cats; toxic principle nepetalactone, with vomiting and diarrhoea and sedation or excitation. Garden catmint shares this aromatic oil, so treat as mildly toxic and verify with a vet if a pet ingests large amounts.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats garden catmint?

Nepeta. The ASPCA lists catnip (Nepeta cataria), the closest listed relative, as toxic to cats; toxic principle nepetalactone, with vomiting and diarrhoea and sedation or excitation. Garden catmint shares this aromatic oil, so treat as mildly toxic and verify with a vet if a pet ingests large amounts. 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 garden catmint.

What should I do if my cat ate garden catmint?

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 garden catmint toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Garden Catmint is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full garden catmint pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to garden catmint?

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 garden catmint pet-safety