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Is Mexican Tomatillo toxic to cats?

Physalis ixocarpa

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists mexican tomatillo 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. Physalis ixocarpa is in the Solanaceae family. The ripe fruit is edible and widely consumed by humans. However, unripe fruits and green plant parts (leaves, stems, husks) contain solanine-type alkaloids and are not safe for consumption. ASPCA does not individually list this species, but the Solanaceae family includes members toxic to dogs and cats; treat all green parts as a hazard for pets and do not feed fruits to animals.

What to do if your cat ate mexican tomatillo

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

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

Is mexican tomatillo toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is mexican tomatillo toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists mexican tomatillo 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. Physalis ixocarpa is in the Solanaceae family. The ripe fruit is edible and widely consumed by humans. However, unripe fruits and green plant parts (leaves, stems, husks) contain solanine-type alkaloids and are not safe for consumption. ASPCA does not individually list this species, but the Solanaceae family includes members toxic to dogs and cats; treat all green parts as a hazard for pets and do not feed fruits to animals.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats mexican tomatillo?

Physalis ixocarpa is in the Solanaceae family. The ripe fruit is edible and widely consumed by humans. However, unripe fruits and green plant parts (leaves, stems, husks) contain solanine-type alkaloids and are not safe for consumption. ASPCA does not individually list this species, but the Solanaceae family includes members toxic to dogs and cats; treat all green parts as a hazard for pets and do not feed fruits to animals. 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 mexican tomatillo.

What should I do if my cat ate mexican tomatillo?

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 mexican tomatillo toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to mexican tomatillo?

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 mexican tomatillo pet-safety