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Pet safety

Is Lovage toxic to cats?

Levisticum officinale

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists lovage 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. Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, so its pet status is not formally established. As a furanocoumarin-containing umbellifer it can cause photosensitivity, so treat it with caution and verify with a vet before assuming it is safe for pets.

What to do if your cat ate lovage

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

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

Is lovage toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is lovage toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists lovage 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. Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, so its pet status is not formally established. As a furanocoumarin-containing umbellifer it can cause photosensitivity, so treat it with caution and verify with a vet before assuming it is safe for pets.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats lovage?

Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, so its pet status is not formally established. As a furanocoumarin-containing umbellifer it can cause photosensitivity, so treat it with caution and verify with a vet before assuming it is safe for pets. 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 lovage.

What should I do if my cat ate lovage?

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 lovage toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to lovage?

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 lovage pet-safety