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Pet safety

Is Hosta toxic to cats?

Hosta spp.

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hosta 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. Mildly toxic. The ASPCA lists Hosta (Hosta plantaginea, family Liliaceae) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; the toxic principle is saponins, and the reported clinical signs — vomiting, diarrhoea and depression — are usually mild and self-limiting. North Carolina State Extension likewise states all parts of the plant are toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Keep grazing or nibbling pets away from plantings, and contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if a large amount is eaten or signs persist.

What to do if your cat ate hosta

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

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

Is hosta toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is hosta toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hosta 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. Mildly toxic. The ASPCA lists Hosta (Hosta plantaginea, family Liliaceae) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; the toxic principle is saponins, and the reported clinical signs — vomiting, diarrhoea and depression — are usually mild and self-limiting. North Carolina State Extension likewise states all parts of the plant are toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Keep grazing or nibbling pets away from plantings, and contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if a large amount is eaten or signs persist.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats hosta?

Mildly toxic. The ASPCA lists Hosta (Hosta plantaginea, family Liliaceae) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; the toxic principle is saponins, and the reported clinical signs — vomiting, diarrhoea and depression — are usually mild and self-limiting. North Carolina State Extension likewise states all parts of the plant are toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Keep grazing or nibbling pets away from plantings, and contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if a large amount is eaten or signs persist. 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 hosta.

What should I do if my cat ate hosta?

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 hosta toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to hosta?

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 hosta pet-safety