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Pet safety

Is Mediterranean Sage toxic to cats?

Salvia aethiopis

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists mediterranean 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 aethiopis is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. ASPCA classifies common sage (Salvia officinalis) as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. As specific ASPCA confirmation is absent for this species and no toxic principles are documented, a mildly-toxic precautionary rating is used. Avoid planting where grazing animals have unrestricted access.

What to do if your cat ate mediterranean sage

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

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

Is mediterranean sage toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is mediterranean sage toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists mediterranean 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 aethiopis is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. ASPCA classifies common sage (Salvia officinalis) as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. As specific ASPCA confirmation is absent for this species and no toxic principles are documented, a mildly-toxic precautionary rating is used. Avoid planting where grazing animals have unrestricted access.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats mediterranean sage?

Salvia aethiopis is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. ASPCA classifies common sage (Salvia officinalis) as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. As specific ASPCA confirmation is absent for this species and no toxic principles are documented, a mildly-toxic precautionary rating is used. Avoid planting where grazing animals have unrestricted access. 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 mediterranean sage.

What should I do if my cat ate mediterranean 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 mediterranean sage toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to mediterranean 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 mediterranean sage pet-safety