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Pet safety

Is Four-leaf Pogostemon toxic to cats?

Pogostemon quadrifolius

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists four-leaf pogostemon 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. Pogostemon quadrifolius is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The genus contains aromatic compounds (including patchouli-type sesquiterpenes) and limited pet-safety data exists; classified mildly-toxic as a precaution — keep away from pets.

What to do if your cat ate four-leaf pogostemon

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move four-leaf pogostemon 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 four-leaf pogostemon to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is four-leaf pogostemon toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is four-leaf pogostemon toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists four-leaf pogostemon 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. Pogostemon quadrifolius is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The genus contains aromatic compounds (including patchouli-type sesquiterpenes) and limited pet-safety data exists; classified mildly-toxic as a precaution — keep away from pets.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats four-leaf pogostemon?

Pogostemon quadrifolius is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The genus contains aromatic compounds (including patchouli-type sesquiterpenes) and limited pet-safety data exists; classified mildly-toxic as a precaution — keep away from pets. 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 four-leaf pogostemon.

What should I do if my cat ate four-leaf pogostemon?

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 four-leaf pogostemon toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Four-leaf Pogostemon is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full four-leaf pogostemon pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to four-leaf pogostemon?

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 four-leaf pogostemon pet-safety