Is Purple Paintbrush toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists purple paintbrush 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. As a secondary selenium accumulator, Castilleja purpurea concentrates selenium in its tissues when grown on selenium-rich soils. ASPCA does not list the genus as confirmed safe. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset and, in larger amounts or repeated exposure, selenium-related symptoms including lethargy. Pets and children should be discouraged from eating any part of the plant.

As a secondary selenium accumulator, Castilleja purpurea concentrates selenium in its tissues when grown on selenium-rich soils. ASPCA does not list the genus as confirmed safe. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset and, in larger amounts or repeated exposure, selenium-related symptoms including lethargy. Pets and children should be discouraged from eating any part of the 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 paintbrush.

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.

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

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.