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Pet safety

Is Needle Grass toxic to cats?

Stipa capillata

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists needle grass 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. Stipa capillata is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The species is not known to contain systemic toxic compounds, but the extremely sharp, barbed awns (needles) pose a significant physical hazard to dogs and cats: the sharp awns can penetrate skin, ears, eyes, nostrils, and paws, and migrate into tissue causing injury, pain, and infection. Classified as mildly-toxic as a precautionary measure given the physical injury risk and absence of confirmed ASPCA non-toxic listing; verify with a veterinarian if ingestion or physical injury occurs.

What to do if your cat ate needle grass

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

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

Is needle grass toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is needle grass toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists needle grass 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. Stipa capillata is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The species is not known to contain systemic toxic compounds, but the extremely sharp, barbed awns (needles) pose a significant physical hazard to dogs and cats: the sharp awns can penetrate skin, ears, eyes, nostrils, and paws, and migrate into tissue causing injury, pain, and infection. Classified as mildly-toxic as a precautionary measure given the physical injury risk and absence of confirmed ASPCA non-toxic listing; verify with a veterinarian if ingestion or physical injury occurs.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats needle grass?

Stipa capillata is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The species is not known to contain systemic toxic compounds, but the extremely sharp, barbed awns (needles) pose a significant physical hazard to dogs and cats: the sharp awns can penetrate skin, ears, eyes, nostrils, and paws, and migrate into tissue causing injury, pain, and infection. Classified as mildly-toxic as a precautionary measure given the physical injury risk and absence of confirmed ASPCA non-toxic listing; verify with a veterinarian if ingestion or physical injury 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 needle grass.

What should I do if my cat ate needle grass?

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 needle grass toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to needle grass?

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 needle grass pet-safety