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Is Reed Sweetgrass toxic to cats?

Glyceria maxima

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists reed sweetgrass 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. Glyceria maxima is not individually listed by the ASPCA. However, it is well-documented by veterinary and agricultural authorities (including CABI and UK/European livestock guidance) that wilted or frosted reed sweetgrass can contain cyanogenic glucosides capable of causing cyanide poisoning in cattle, horses, and sheep, particularly when grazed or consumed in quantity. Risk to cats and dogs is low but not fully excluded. Classified as mildly-toxic here as a precaution; keep pets from grazing wilted or cut foliage.

What to do if your cat ate reed sweetgrass

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

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

Is reed sweetgrass toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is reed sweetgrass toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists reed sweetgrass 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. Glyceria maxima is not individually listed by the ASPCA. However, it is well-documented by veterinary and agricultural authorities (including CABI and UK/European livestock guidance) that wilted or frosted reed sweetgrass can contain cyanogenic glucosides capable of causing cyanide poisoning in cattle, horses, and sheep, particularly when grazed or consumed in quantity. Risk to cats and dogs is low but not fully excluded. Classified as mildly-toxic here as a precaution; keep pets from grazing wilted or cut foliage.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats reed sweetgrass?

Glyceria maxima is not individually listed by the ASPCA. However, it is well-documented by veterinary and agricultural authorities (including CABI and UK/European livestock guidance) that wilted or frosted reed sweetgrass can contain cyanogenic glucosides capable of causing cyanide poisoning in cattle, horses, and sheep, particularly when grazed or consumed in quantity. Risk to cats and dogs is low but not fully excluded. Classified as mildly-toxic here as a precaution; keep pets from grazing wilted or cut foliage. 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 reed sweetgrass.

What should I do if my cat ate reed sweetgrass?

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 reed sweetgrass toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Reed Sweetgrass is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full reed sweetgrass pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to reed sweetgrass?

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 reed sweetgrass pet-safety