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Pet safety

Is Beardtongue 'Husker Red' toxic to cats?

Penstemon digitalis

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists beardtongue 'husker red' 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. Penstemon digitalis is not specifically listed by the ASPCA, but the genus contains iridoid glycosides and is considered mildly toxic if ingested in significant quantities, particularly to livestock. Household pets consuming small amounts may experience gastrointestinal upset. The conservative verdict is mildly-toxic.

What to do if your cat ate beardtongue 'husker red'

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move beardtongue 'husker red' 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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of beardtongue 'husker red' to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten beardtongue 'husker red', contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is beardtongue 'husker red' toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is beardtongue 'husker red' toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists beardtongue 'husker red' 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. Penstemon digitalis is not specifically listed by the ASPCA, but the genus contains iridoid glycosides and is considered mildly toxic if ingested in significant quantities, particularly to livestock. Household pets consuming small amounts may experience gastrointestinal upset. The conservative verdict is mildly-toxic.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats beardtongue 'husker red'?

Penstemon digitalis is not specifically listed by the ASPCA, but the genus contains iridoid glycosides and is considered mildly toxic if ingested in significant quantities, particularly to livestock. Household pets consuming small amounts may experience gastrointestinal upset. The conservative verdict is mildly-toxic. 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 beardtongue 'husker red'.

What should I do if my cat ate beardtongue 'husker red'?

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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is beardtongue 'husker red' toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Beardtongue 'Husker Red' is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full beardtongue 'husker red' pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to beardtongue 'husker red'?

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.

Type any plant to see what the ASPCA says about it and your cat.

Full beardtongue 'husker red' pet-safety

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