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Is Hart's Pennyroyal toxic to cats?

Mentha cervina

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hart's pennyroyal 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. Mentha cervina (Hart's Pennyroyal) is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The Mentha genus is generally considered non-toxic to dogs and cats at small doses, but concentrated mint oils (pulegone) in related pennyroyal species (especially Mentha pulegium) are hepatotoxic in cats and dogs. As a pennyroyal-type mint of uncertain oil profile, caution is warranted: keep away from pets and do not administer as an essential oil or extract to animals. Consult a veterinarian before allowing pet access.

What to do if your cat ate hart's pennyroyal

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

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

Is hart's pennyroyal toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is hart's pennyroyal toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hart's pennyroyal 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. Mentha cervina (Hart's Pennyroyal) is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The Mentha genus is generally considered non-toxic to dogs and cats at small doses, but concentrated mint oils (pulegone) in related pennyroyal species (especially Mentha pulegium) are hepatotoxic in cats and dogs. As a pennyroyal-type mint of uncertain oil profile, caution is warranted: keep away from pets and do not administer as an essential oil or extract to animals. Consult a veterinarian before allowing pet access.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats hart's pennyroyal?

Mentha cervina (Hart's Pennyroyal) is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The Mentha genus is generally considered non-toxic to dogs and cats at small doses, but concentrated mint oils (pulegone) in related pennyroyal species (especially Mentha pulegium) are hepatotoxic in cats and dogs. As a pennyroyal-type mint of uncertain oil profile, caution is warranted: keep away from pets and do not administer as an essential oil or extract to animals. Consult a veterinarian before allowing pet access. 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 hart's pennyroyal.

What should I do if my cat ate hart's pennyroyal?

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 hart's pennyroyal toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Hart's Pennyroyal is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full hart's pennyroyal pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to hart's pennyroyal?

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 hart's pennyroyal pet-safety