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Is Hosta 'June' toxic to cats?

Hosta 'June'

Toxic to cats

Yes — hosta 'june' is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. The ASPCA lists Hosta (plantain lily) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The toxic principle is saponins; ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and depression. Despite the soap-related myth, hostas do not foam in the stomach, but they do cause genuine gastrointestinal upset, so keep pets from grazing the leaves.

What to do if your cat ate hosta 'june'

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

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

Is hosta 'june' toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is hosta 'june' toxic to cats?

Yes — hosta 'june' is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. The ASPCA lists Hosta (plantain lily) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The toxic principle is saponins; ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and depression. Despite the soap-related myth, hostas do not foam in the stomach, but they do cause genuine gastrointestinal upset, so keep pets from grazing the leaves.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats hosta 'june'?

The ASPCA lists Hosta (plantain lily) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The toxic principle is saponins; ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and depression. Despite the soap-related myth, hostas do not foam in the stomach, but they do cause genuine gastrointestinal upset, so keep pets from grazing the leaves. 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 'june'.

What should I do if my cat ate hosta 'june'?

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 'june' toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to hosta 'june'?

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 'june' pet-safety