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Pet safety

Is Shiso toxic to cats?

Perilla frutescens var. crispa

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists shiso 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. Perilla frutescens is not clearly verifiable on the ASPCA non-toxic list, and the species is a documented livestock toxin: it contains perilla ketone, which causes acute respiratory distress (atypical interstitial pneumonia) in cattle and horses. For cats and dogs status is uncertain; treat with caution, limit access, and verify with a vet before assuming it is safe.

What to do if your cat ate shiso

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

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

Is shiso toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is shiso toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists shiso 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. Perilla frutescens is not clearly verifiable on the ASPCA non-toxic list, and the species is a documented livestock toxin: it contains perilla ketone, which causes acute respiratory distress (atypical interstitial pneumonia) in cattle and horses. For cats and dogs status is uncertain; treat with caution, limit access, and verify with a vet before assuming it is safe.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats shiso?

Perilla frutescens is not clearly verifiable on the ASPCA non-toxic list, and the species is a documented livestock toxin: it contains perilla ketone, which causes acute respiratory distress (atypical interstitial pneumonia) in cattle and horses. For cats and dogs status is uncertain; treat with caution, limit access, and verify with a vet before assuming it is safe. 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 shiso.

What should I do if my cat ate 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 shiso toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to 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 shiso pet-safety