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Pet safety

Is Pincushion Flower toxic to cats?

Scabiosa columbaria

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists pincushion flower 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. Scabiosa columbaria is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic/Non-Toxic Plants database (the ASPCA 'Scabious/Pincushion Flower' entry refers to the unrelated Proteaceae plant Leucospermum incisum, not true Scabiosa), so its status is uncertain; treat with caution and verify with a vet. It is not recorded as seriously poisonous, but pet ingestion is best avoided pending confirmation.

What to do if your cat ate pincushion flower

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

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

Is pincushion flower toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is pincushion flower toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists pincushion flower 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. Scabiosa columbaria is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic/Non-Toxic Plants database (the ASPCA 'Scabious/Pincushion Flower' entry refers to the unrelated Proteaceae plant Leucospermum incisum, not true Scabiosa), so its status is uncertain; treat with caution and verify with a vet. It is not recorded as seriously poisonous, but pet ingestion is best avoided pending confirmation.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats pincushion flower?

Scabiosa columbaria is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic/Non-Toxic Plants database (the ASPCA 'Scabious/Pincushion Flower' entry refers to the unrelated Proteaceae plant Leucospermum incisum, not true Scabiosa), so its status is uncertain; treat with caution and verify with a vet. It is not recorded as seriously poisonous, but pet ingestion is best avoided pending confirmation. 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 pincushion flower.

What should I do if my cat ate pincushion flower?

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 pincushion flower toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Pincushion Flower is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full pincushion flower pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to pincushion flower?

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 pincushion flower pet-safety