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Is Olympic St. John's Wort toxic to cats?

Hypericum olympicum

Toxic to cats

Yes — olympic st. john's wort is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. Hypericum species are listed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses by the ASPCA. The toxic principle is hypericin, which causes photosensitisation — ulcerative dermatitis and skin inflammation on light-coloured animals exposed to sunlight after ingestion. Although H. olympicum is not individually listed by the ASPCA, its genus-level toxicity applies. Keep away from grazing animals and supervise pets around this plant.

What to do if your cat ate olympic st. john's wort

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

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

Is olympic st. john's wort toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is olympic st. john's wort toxic to cats?

Yes — olympic st. john's wort is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. Hypericum species are listed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses by the ASPCA. The toxic principle is hypericin, which causes photosensitisation — ulcerative dermatitis and skin inflammation on light-coloured animals exposed to sunlight after ingestion. Although H. olympicum is not individually listed by the ASPCA, its genus-level toxicity applies. Keep away from grazing animals and supervise pets around this plant.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats olympic st. john's wort?

Hypericum species are listed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses by the ASPCA. The toxic principle is hypericin, which causes photosensitisation — ulcerative dermatitis and skin inflammation on light-coloured animals exposed to sunlight after ingestion. Although H. olympicum is not individually listed by the ASPCA, its genus-level toxicity applies. Keep away from grazing animals and supervise pets around this plant. 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 olympic st. john's wort.

What should I do if my cat ate olympic st. john's wort?

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 olympic st. john's wort toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Olympic St. John's Wort is toxic to dogs as well. See the full olympic st. john's wort pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to olympic st. john's wort?

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 olympic st. john's wort pet-safety