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Pet safety

Is Pimento Pepper toxic to cats?

Capsicum annuum 'Pimento'

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists pimento pepper 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. Capsicum annuum (the sweet pimento) is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic plant list, so an affirmative pet-safe label cannot be given; the ASPCA's 'Ornamental Pepper' entry refers to Solanum pseudocapsicum, not Capsicum. Although the pimento carries no real heat, the genus is best treated with caution and pepper foliage can cause GI upset in pets, so keep plants and pods out of reach and verify with a vet if ingested.

What to do if your cat ate pimento pepper

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

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

Is pimento pepper toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is pimento pepper toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists pimento pepper 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. Capsicum annuum (the sweet pimento) is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic plant list, so an affirmative pet-safe label cannot be given; the ASPCA's 'Ornamental Pepper' entry refers to Solanum pseudocapsicum, not Capsicum. Although the pimento carries no real heat, the genus is best treated with caution and pepper foliage can cause GI upset in pets, so keep plants and pods out of reach and verify with a vet if ingested.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats pimento pepper?

Capsicum annuum (the sweet pimento) is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic plant list, so an affirmative pet-safe label cannot be given; the ASPCA's 'Ornamental Pepper' entry refers to Solanum pseudocapsicum, not Capsicum. Although the pimento carries no real heat, the genus is best treated with caution and pepper foliage can cause GI upset in pets, so keep plants and pods out of reach and verify with a vet if ingested. 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 pimento pepper.

What should I do if my cat ate pimento pepper?

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 pimento pepper toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Pimento Pepper is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full pimento pepper pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to pimento pepper?

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 pimento pepper pet-safety