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Pet safety

Is Red Shiso toxic to cats?

Perilla frutescens var. crispa 'Atropurpurea'

Toxic to cats

Yes — red shiso is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA-listed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses (entry: Perilla mint, Perilla frutescens). Toxic principles are essential oils, including perilla ketone. Large ingestions cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs and cats; the perilla ketones cause severe respiratory disease (atypical interstitial pneumonia) in horses and ruminants, so keep pets and livestock away.

What to do if your cat ate red shiso

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

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

Is red shiso toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is red shiso toxic to cats?

Yes — red shiso is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. ASPCA-listed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses (entry: Perilla mint, Perilla frutescens). Toxic principles are essential oils, including perilla ketone. Large ingestions cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs and cats; the perilla ketones cause severe respiratory disease (atypical interstitial pneumonia) in horses and ruminants, so keep pets and livestock away.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats red shiso?

ASPCA-listed as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses (entry: Perilla mint, Perilla frutescens). Toxic principles are essential oils, including perilla ketone. Large ingestions cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs and cats; the perilla ketones cause severe respiratory disease (atypical interstitial pneumonia) in horses and ruminants, so keep pets and livestock away. 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 red shiso.

What should I do if my cat ate red shiso?

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 red shiso toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Red Shiso is toxic to dogs as well. See the full red shiso pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to red shiso?

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 red shiso pet-safety