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Pet safety

Is Purple-flowered Sage toxic to cats?

Salvia purpurea

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists purple-flowered sage 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. Salvia purpurea is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The Salvia genus is not classified as a confirmed toxic group; however, the aromatic oils present in the foliage may cause mild gastrointestinal signs (drooling, vomiting) if ingested in quantity by cats or dogs. Seek veterinary advice if a pet ingests any part of this plant.

What to do if your cat ate purple-flowered sage

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

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

Is purple-flowered sage toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is purple-flowered sage toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists purple-flowered sage 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. Salvia purpurea is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The Salvia genus is not classified as a confirmed toxic group; however, the aromatic oils present in the foliage may cause mild gastrointestinal signs (drooling, vomiting) if ingested in quantity by cats or dogs. Seek veterinary advice if a pet ingests any part of this plant.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats purple-flowered sage?

Salvia purpurea is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The Salvia genus is not classified as a confirmed toxic group; however, the aromatic oils present in the foliage may cause mild gastrointestinal signs (drooling, vomiting) if ingested in quantity by cats or dogs. Seek veterinary advice if a pet ingests any part of this plant. 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 purple-flowered sage.

What should I do if my cat ate purple-flowered sage?

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 purple-flowered sage toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Purple-flowered Sage is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full purple-flowered sage pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to purple-flowered sage?

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 purple-flowered sage pet-safety