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Is Pacific Purple Asparagus toxic to cats?

Asparagus officinalis 'Pacific Purple'

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists pacific purple asparagus 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. Garden asparagus spears (Asparagus officinalis) are not listed as toxic by the ASPCA and are a human food. This is a different plant from the ASPCA-toxic ornamental asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus), with which the genus is often confused. The mature red berries and ferny foliage can cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets, so treat the fern stage with caution and consult a vet if a pet eats it.

What to do if your cat ate pacific purple asparagus

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

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

Is pacific purple asparagus toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is pacific purple asparagus toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists pacific purple asparagus 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. Garden asparagus spears (Asparagus officinalis) are not listed as toxic by the ASPCA and are a human food. This is a different plant from the ASPCA-toxic ornamental asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus), with which the genus is often confused. The mature red berries and ferny foliage can cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets, so treat the fern stage with caution and consult a vet if a pet eats it.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats pacific purple asparagus?

Garden asparagus spears (Asparagus officinalis) are not listed as toxic by the ASPCA and are a human food. This is a different plant from the ASPCA-toxic ornamental asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus), with which the genus is often confused. The mature red berries and ferny foliage can cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets, so treat the fern stage with caution and consult a vet if a pet eats it. 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 pacific purple asparagus.

What should I do if my cat ate pacific purple asparagus?

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 pacific purple asparagus toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Pacific Purple Asparagus is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full pacific purple asparagus pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to pacific purple asparagus?

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 pacific purple asparagus pet-safety