Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Hogweed toxic to cats?

Heracleum sphondylium

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hogweed 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. Contains furanocoumarins (psoralens) that cause phytophotodermatitis in mammals; the ASPCA lists the related Giant Hogweed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses with signs including oral and skin ulcerations, blistering, erythema, and vomiting. Common hogweed shares the same compounds at lower concentrations and should be treated as mildly toxic. Wear gloves when handling and prevent pets from chewing the stems or sap.

What to do if your cat ate hogweed

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

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

Is hogweed toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is hogweed toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hogweed 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. Contains furanocoumarins (psoralens) that cause phytophotodermatitis in mammals; the ASPCA lists the related Giant Hogweed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses with signs including oral and skin ulcerations, blistering, erythema, and vomiting. Common hogweed shares the same compounds at lower concentrations and should be treated as mildly toxic. Wear gloves when handling and prevent pets from chewing the stems or sap.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats hogweed?

Contains furanocoumarins (psoralens) that cause phytophotodermatitis in mammals; the ASPCA lists the related Giant Hogweed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses with signs including oral and skin ulcerations, blistering, erythema, and vomiting. Common hogweed shares the same compounds at lower concentrations and should be treated as mildly toxic. Wear gloves when handling and prevent pets from chewing the stems or sap. 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 hogweed.

What should I do if my cat ate hogweed?

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 hogweed toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to hogweed?

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 hogweed pet-safety