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Pet safety

Is Kitten Tails toxic to cats?

Besseya bullii

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists kitten tails 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. Besseya bullii (Plantaginaceae) is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database, and its phytochemical profile has not been widely studied. Members of this family can contain iridoid glycosides. Given the lack of confirmed safety data, it is classified as mildly toxic as a precaution. Contact a vet if a pet ingests this plant.

What to do if your cat ate kitten tails

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

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

Is kitten tails toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is kitten tails toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists kitten tails 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. Besseya bullii (Plantaginaceae) is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database, and its phytochemical profile has not been widely studied. Members of this family can contain iridoid glycosides. Given the lack of confirmed safety data, it is classified as mildly toxic as a precaution. Contact a vet if a pet ingests this plant.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats kitten tails?

Besseya bullii (Plantaginaceae) is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database, and its phytochemical profile has not been widely studied. Members of this family can contain iridoid glycosides. Given the lack of confirmed safety data, it is classified as mildly toxic as a precaution. Contact a vet if a pet ingests this 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 kitten tails.

What should I do if my cat ate kitten tails?

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 kitten tails toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to kitten tails?

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 kitten tails pet-safety