Is Huang Qi toxic to cats?

No — huang qi is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats. It is a sensible choice for a home with a cat; a curious nibble will not poison them, though no plant is meant to be eaten. Astragalus membranaceus is not listed as toxic to dogs or cats by ASPCA. The genus Astragalus is large and some wild species (notably locoweed species such as A. lentiginosus, A. mollissimus) in the western US contain swainsonine and are severely toxic to livestock. However, A. membranaceus (the TCM adaptogen) does not contain swainsonine and is widely used in human supplementation without veterinary toxicity concerns being raised for this specific species. Garden contact is low risk, but keep concentrated root preparations away from pets.

Yes — the ASPCA lists huang qi as non-toxic to cats and dogs. A cat that chews a large amount of any foliage can still get a mild, brief stomach upset, so discourage grazing, but it will not be poisoned.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Huang Qi is non-toxic to dogs as well. See the full huang qi pet-safety guide for both species.

Reliable ASPCA non-toxic picks for a cat home include spider plant, calathea, parlor palm, peperomia, and most true ferns. Browse the best cats-safe plants list to check more before you buy.