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Is Pink Evening Primrose toxic to cats?

Oenothera speciosa

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists pink evening primrose 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. Oenothera is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant lists. Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid; the foliage and seeds may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in quantity by pets or children. Until a definitive ASPCA listing is available, treat with caution and prevent pets from grazing on plants.

What to do if your cat ate pink evening primrose

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

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

Is pink evening primrose toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is pink evening primrose toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists pink evening primrose 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. Oenothera is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant lists. Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid; the foliage and seeds may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in quantity by pets or children. Until a definitive ASPCA listing is available, treat with caution and prevent pets from grazing on plants.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats pink evening primrose?

Oenothera is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant lists. Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid; the foliage and seeds may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in quantity by pets or children. Until a definitive ASPCA listing is available, treat with caution and prevent pets from grazing on plants. 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 pink evening primrose.

What should I do if my cat ate pink evening primrose?

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 pink evening primrose toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Pink Evening Primrose is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full pink evening primrose pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to pink evening primrose?

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 pink evening primrose pet-safety