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Pet safety

Is Large-Flowered Beardtongue toxic to cats?

Penstemon grandiflorus

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists large-flowered beardtongue 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. Penstemon species are not specifically listed by the ASPCA as toxic. However, some Penstemon species contain iridoid glycosides that may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in quantity by pets. Classified here as mildly-toxic out of caution; consult a veterinarian if significant ingestion occurs.

What to do if your cat ate large-flowered beardtongue

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

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

Is large-flowered beardtongue toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is large-flowered beardtongue toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists large-flowered beardtongue 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. Penstemon species are not specifically listed by the ASPCA as toxic. However, some Penstemon species contain iridoid glycosides that may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in quantity by pets. Classified here as mildly-toxic out of caution; consult a veterinarian if significant ingestion occurs.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats large-flowered beardtongue?

Penstemon species are not specifically listed by the ASPCA as toxic. However, some Penstemon species contain iridoid glycosides that may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in quantity by pets. Classified here as mildly-toxic out of caution; consult a veterinarian if significant ingestion occurs. 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 large-flowered beardtongue.

What should I do if my cat ate large-flowered beardtongue?

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 large-flowered beardtongue toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Large-Flowered Beardtongue is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full large-flowered beardtongue pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to large-flowered beardtongue?

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 large-flowered beardtongue pet-safety