Is Lady's Bedstraw toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists lady's bedstraw 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. Galium verum is not individually assessed on the ASPCA database. It is generally considered non-toxic and has a long history of human culinary and herbal use, but formal ASPCA non-toxic listing for cats and dogs is absent. Classified mildly-toxic as a precaution; coumarin content may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if eaten in very large amounts.

Galium verum is not individually assessed on the ASPCA database. It is generally considered non-toxic and has a long history of human culinary and herbal use, but formal ASPCA non-toxic listing for cats and dogs is absent. Classified mildly-toxic as a precaution; coumarin content may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if eaten in very large amounts. 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 lady's bedstraw.

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.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Lady's Bedstraw is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full lady's bedstraw pet-safety guide for both species.

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.