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Pet safety

Is Hound's-tongue toxic to cats?

Cynoglossum officinale

Toxic to cats

Yes — hound's-tongue 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. Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (heliosupine, cynoglossine) that cause cumulative hepatotoxicity in horses, cattle, and other livestock; the same alkaloids are toxic to dogs and cats, causing liver failure, photosensitisation, and neurological signs. Avoid where browsing animals or pets can access the plant.

What to do if your cat ate hound's-tongue

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

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

Is hound's-tongue toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is hound's-tongue toxic to cats?

Yes — hound's-tongue is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (heliosupine, cynoglossine) that cause cumulative hepatotoxicity in horses, cattle, and other livestock; the same alkaloids are toxic to dogs and cats, causing liver failure, photosensitisation, and neurological signs. Avoid where browsing animals or pets can access the plant.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats hound's-tongue?

Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (heliosupine, cynoglossine) that cause cumulative hepatotoxicity in horses, cattle, and other livestock; the same alkaloids are toxic to dogs and cats, causing liver failure, photosensitisation, and neurological signs. Avoid where browsing animals or pets can access the plant. 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 hound's-tongue.

What should I do if my cat ate hound's-tongue?

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 hound's-tongue toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Hound's-tongue is toxic to dogs as well. See the full hound's-tongue pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to hound's-tongue?

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 hound's-tongue pet-safety