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Pet safety

Is Hairy Sage toxic to cats?

Salvia pubescens

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hairy sage 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. Salvia pubescens is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The Salvia genus is not classified as a known toxic group; however, the aromatic essential oils and terpenoids typical of the Lamiaceae family that this species contains may cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, drooling) if ingested by cats or dogs in significant amounts.

What to do if your cat ate hairy sage

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

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

Is hairy sage toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is hairy sage toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hairy sage 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. Salvia pubescens is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The Salvia genus is not classified as a known toxic group; however, the aromatic essential oils and terpenoids typical of the Lamiaceae family that this species contains may cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, drooling) if ingested by cats or dogs in significant amounts.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats hairy sage?

Salvia pubescens is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The Salvia genus is not classified as a known toxic group; however, the aromatic essential oils and terpenoids typical of the Lamiaceae family that this species contains may cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, drooling) if ingested by cats or dogs in significant 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 hairy sage.

What should I do if my cat ate hairy sage?

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 sage toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to hairy sage?

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 sage pet-safety