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Is Sea Wormwood toxic to cats?

Artemisia maritima

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists sea wormwood 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. Artemisia maritima is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The plant contains santonin (historically used as an anthelmintic) and volatile oils including thujone — compounds that are toxic in quantity. The ASPCA classifies tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Treat A. maritima as mildly toxic by genus association. Historically a medicinal herb; ingestion of large quantities causes GI upset and neurological effects in animals.

What to do if your cat ate sea wormwood

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

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

Is sea wormwood toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is sea wormwood toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists sea wormwood 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. Artemisia maritima is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The plant contains santonin (historically used as an anthelmintic) and volatile oils including thujone — compounds that are toxic in quantity. The ASPCA classifies tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Treat A. maritima as mildly toxic by genus association. Historically a medicinal herb; ingestion of large quantities causes GI upset and neurological effects in animals.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats sea wormwood?

Artemisia maritima is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The plant contains santonin (historically used as an anthelmintic) and volatile oils including thujone — compounds that are toxic in quantity. The ASPCA classifies tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Treat A. maritima as mildly toxic by genus association. Historically a medicinal herb; ingestion of large quantities causes GI upset and neurological effects in animals. 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 wormwood.

What should I do if my cat ate sea wormwood?

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 wormwood toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to sea wormwood?

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 wormwood pet-safety