Growli
Get the app

Pet safety

Is Gooseneck Loosestrife toxic to cats?

Lysimachia clethroides

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists gooseneck loosestrife 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. Lysimachia clethroides is not individually listed by ASPCA. Primulaceae family members may contain saponins that can cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats. Not considered severely toxic, but ingestion of large amounts warrants veterinary attention. Keep away from pets with a habit of chewing plants.

What to do if your cat ate gooseneck loosestrife

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

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten gooseneck loosestrife, 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 gooseneck loosestrife toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is gooseneck loosestrife toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists gooseneck loosestrife 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. Lysimachia clethroides is not individually listed by ASPCA. Primulaceae family members may contain saponins that can cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats. Not considered severely toxic, but ingestion of large amounts warrants veterinary attention. Keep away from pets with a habit of chewing plants.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats gooseneck loosestrife?

Lysimachia clethroides is not individually listed by ASPCA. Primulaceae family members may contain saponins that can cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats. Not considered severely toxic, but ingestion of large amounts warrants veterinary attention. Keep away from pets with a habit of chewing plants. 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 gooseneck loosestrife.

What should I do if my cat ate gooseneck loosestrife?

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 gooseneck loosestrife toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to gooseneck loosestrife?

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 gooseneck loosestrife pet-safety

Writing about plant safety? Embed our free pet-toxicity checker on your site — ASPCA-grounded verdicts for 11,000+ plants, no sign-up.