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Pet safety

Is Green Shiso toxic to cats?

Perilla frutescens var. crispa f. viridis

Non-toxic to cats

No — green shiso is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats. It is a sensible choice for a home with a cat; a curious nibble will not poison them, though no plant is meant to be eaten. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. Perilla frutescens is listed as toxic to horses and ruminants (contains perilla ketone, causing pulmonary oedema) in veterinary literature. However, the ASPCA does not list it as toxic to dogs or cats. Exercise caution with livestock exposure; the risk to companion pets (dogs, cats) appears low at culinary leaf quantities, but avoid large ingestions.

Is green shiso toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is green shiso toxic to cats?

No — green shiso is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats. It is a sensible choice for a home with a cat; a curious nibble will not poison them, though no plant is meant to be eaten. Perilla frutescens is listed as toxic to horses and ruminants (contains perilla ketone, causing pulmonary oedema) in veterinary literature. However, the ASPCA does not list it as toxic to dogs or cats. Exercise caution with livestock exposure; the risk to companion pets (dogs, cats) appears low at culinary leaf quantities, but avoid large ingestions.

Is green shiso safe for cats?

Yes — the ASPCA lists green shiso as non-toxic to cats and dogs. A cat that chews a large amount of any foliage can still get a mild, brief stomach upset, so discourage grazing, but it will not be poisoned.

Is green shiso toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Green Shiso is non-toxic to dogs as well. See the full green shiso pet-safety guide for both species.

What other plants are safe for cats?

Reliable ASPCA non-toxic picks for a cat home include spider plant, calathea, parlor palm, peperomia, and most true ferns. Browse the best cats-safe plants list to check more before you buy.

Full green shiso pet-safety