Is Sidebells Penstemon toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists sidebells penstemon 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. Penstemon is not individually listed by ASPCA on either its toxic or non-toxic plant lists. Some Penstemon species are facultative selenium accumulators on selenium-rich western soils; excessive selenium intake is harmful to pets and livestock. No severe acute toxicity is documented for garden exposure. Contact a vet if a pet ingests large quantities.

Penstemon is not individually listed by ASPCA on either its toxic or non-toxic plant lists. Some Penstemon species are facultative selenium accumulators on selenium-rich western soils; excessive selenium intake is harmful to pets and livestock. No severe acute toxicity is documented for garden exposure. Contact a vet if a pet ingests large quantities. 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 sidebells penstemon.

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.

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

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.