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Pet safety

Is Hermit Primulina toxic to cats?

Primulina anachoreta

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hermit primulina 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. Primulina (including species formerly placed in Henckelia) is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic or Non-Toxic plant database; as a precaution, classify as mildly-toxic — the related Gesneriaceae family member Streptocarpus (Cape Primrose) is listed non-toxic, but verify with your veterinarian before assuming safety.

What to do if your cat ate hermit primulina

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

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

Is hermit primulina toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hermit primulina 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. Primulina (including species formerly placed in Henckelia) is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic or Non-Toxic plant database; as a precaution, classify as mildly-toxic — the related Gesneriaceae family member Streptocarpus (Cape Primrose) is listed non-toxic, but verify with your veterinarian before assuming safety.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats hermit primulina?

Primulina (including species formerly placed in Henckelia) is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic or Non-Toxic plant database; as a precaution, classify as mildly-toxic — the related Gesneriaceae family member Streptocarpus (Cape Primrose) is listed non-toxic, but verify with your veterinarian before assuming safety. 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 hermit primulina.

What should I do if my cat ate hermit primulina?

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 hermit primulina toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Hermit Primulina is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full hermit primulina pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to hermit primulina?

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 hermit primulina pet-safety

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