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Is Sandpaper verbena toxic to cats?

Verbena rigida

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists sandpaper verbena 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. Verbena rigida is not individually listed by ASPCA. Verbena species as a group may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats if ingested; not considered severely toxic. The stoloniferous spreading habit means it can cover ground accessible to pets, so exercise reasonable caution.

What to do if your cat ate sandpaper verbena

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

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

Is sandpaper verbena toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is sandpaper verbena toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists sandpaper verbena 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. Verbena rigida is not individually listed by ASPCA. Verbena species as a group may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats if ingested; not considered severely toxic. The stoloniferous spreading habit means it can cover ground accessible to pets, so exercise reasonable caution.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats sandpaper verbena?

Verbena rigida is not individually listed by ASPCA. Verbena species as a group may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats if ingested; not considered severely toxic. The stoloniferous spreading habit means it can cover ground accessible to pets, so exercise reasonable caution. 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 sandpaper verbena.

What should I do if my cat ate sandpaper verbena?

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 sandpaper verbena toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Sandpaper verbena is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full sandpaper verbena pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to sandpaper verbena?

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 sandpaper verbena pet-safety