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Is Sea Knotgrass toxic to cats?

Polygonum maritimum

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists sea knotgrass 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. Polygonum maritimum is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. Related Polygonum/Persicaria species are generally considered low-risk, but the genus is not formally cleared as non-toxic by ASPCA; mildly-toxic is the precautionary classification.

What to do if your cat ate sea knotgrass

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

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

Is sea knotgrass toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is sea knotgrass toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists sea knotgrass 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. Polygonum maritimum is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. Related Polygonum/Persicaria species are generally considered low-risk, but the genus is not formally cleared as non-toxic by ASPCA; mildly-toxic is the precautionary classification.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats sea knotgrass?

Polygonum maritimum is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. Related Polygonum/Persicaria species are generally considered low-risk, but the genus is not formally cleared as non-toxic by ASPCA; mildly-toxic is the precautionary classification. 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 sea knotgrass.

What should I do if my cat ate sea knotgrass?

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 sea knotgrass toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Sea Knotgrass is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full sea knotgrass pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to sea knotgrass?

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 sea knotgrass pet-safety