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Pet safety

Is Hairy Rock-cress toxic to cats?

Arabis hirsuta

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hairy rock-cress 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. Arabis hirsuta is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database. As a member of Brassicaceae it may contain glucosinolates that can cause mild gastrointestinal irritation if consumed in quantity; no confirmed reports of serious toxicity to cats or dogs. Classified here as mildly-toxic due to the absence of a confirmed ASPCA non-toxic listing.

What to do if your cat ate hairy rock-cress

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

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

Is hairy rock-cress toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is hairy rock-cress toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hairy rock-cress 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. Arabis hirsuta is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database. As a member of Brassicaceae it may contain glucosinolates that can cause mild gastrointestinal irritation if consumed in quantity; no confirmed reports of serious toxicity to cats or dogs. Classified here as mildly-toxic due to the absence of a confirmed ASPCA non-toxic listing.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats hairy rock-cress?

Arabis hirsuta is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database. As a member of Brassicaceae it may contain glucosinolates that can cause mild gastrointestinal irritation if consumed in quantity; no confirmed reports of serious toxicity to cats or dogs. Classified here as mildly-toxic due to the absence of a confirmed ASPCA non-toxic listing. 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 hairy rock-cress.

What should I do if my cat ate hairy rock-cress?

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 hairy rock-cress toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Hairy Rock-cress is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full hairy rock-cress pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to hairy rock-cress?

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 hairy rock-cress pet-safety