Is Hairy Thrift toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hairy thrift 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. Armeria villosa is not listed individually on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. No known toxic principles have been identified in the genus, but as it is not confirmed safe, a mildly-toxic precautionary classification is applied; ingestion may produce mild gastrointestinal irritation in cats and dogs.

Armeria villosa is not listed individually on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. No known toxic principles have been identified in the genus, but as it is not confirmed safe, a mildly-toxic precautionary classification is applied; ingestion may produce mild gastrointestinal irritation in cats and dogs. 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 thrift.

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.

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

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.