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Pet safety

Is Gardenia toxic to cats?

Gardenia jasminoides

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists gardenia 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. The ASPCA lists Gardenia jasminoides as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The toxic principles are the iridoid glycosides genioposide and gardenoside, but reported effects are mild and transient: mild vomiting and/or diarrhoea and occasionally hives (skin welts). Keep ingestion to a minimum and contact a vet if a pet eats a large amount, but it is not considered a severe or life-threatening poison.

What to do if your cat ate gardenia

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

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

Is gardenia toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is gardenia toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists gardenia 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. The ASPCA lists Gardenia jasminoides as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The toxic principles are the iridoid glycosides genioposide and gardenoside, but reported effects are mild and transient: mild vomiting and/or diarrhoea and occasionally hives (skin welts). Keep ingestion to a minimum and contact a vet if a pet eats a large amount, but it is not considered a severe or life-threatening poison.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats gardenia?

The ASPCA lists Gardenia jasminoides as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The toxic principles are the iridoid glycosides genioposide and gardenoside, but reported effects are mild and transient: mild vomiting and/or diarrhoea and occasionally hives (skin welts). Keep ingestion to a minimum and contact a vet if a pet eats a large amount, but it is not considered a severe or life-threatening poison. 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 gardenia.

What should I do if my cat ate gardenia?

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 gardenia toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to gardenia?

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 gardenia pet-safety