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Pet safety

Is Many-spiked Sage toxic to cats?

Salvia polystachya

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists many-spiked sage 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. Salvia polystachya is not individually assessed by the ASPCA. The Salvia genus is not in ASPCA's known toxic groups, but this species contains essential oils and terpenoids typical of the mint family (Lamiaceae) that may cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, drooling) if ingested by cats or dogs in quantity.

What to do if your cat ate many-spiked sage

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

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

Is many-spiked sage toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is many-spiked sage toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists many-spiked sage 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. Salvia polystachya is not individually assessed by the ASPCA. The Salvia genus is not in ASPCA's known toxic groups, but this species contains essential oils and terpenoids typical of the mint family (Lamiaceae) that may cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, drooling) if ingested by cats or dogs in quantity.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats many-spiked sage?

Salvia polystachya is not individually assessed by the ASPCA. The Salvia genus is not in ASPCA's known toxic groups, but this species contains essential oils and terpenoids typical of the mint family (Lamiaceae) that may cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, drooling) if ingested by cats or dogs in quantity. 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 many-spiked sage.

What should I do if my cat ate many-spiked sage?

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 many-spiked sage toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Many-spiked Sage is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full many-spiked sage pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to many-spiked sage?

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 many-spiked sage pet-safety