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Pet safety

Is Silver Mullein toxic to cats?

Verbascum bombyciferum

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists silver mullein 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. Verbascum bombyciferum is not individually listed by the ASPCA. As with other Verbascum species, the plant contains saponins; ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets and people. The dense silver hairs can also cause contact skin irritation. Exercise caution but it is not considered severely toxic.

What to do if your cat ate silver mullein

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

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

Is silver mullein toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is silver mullein toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists silver mullein 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. Verbascum bombyciferum is not individually listed by the ASPCA. As with other Verbascum species, the plant contains saponins; ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets and people. The dense silver hairs can also cause contact skin irritation. Exercise caution but it is not considered severely toxic.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats silver mullein?

Verbascum bombyciferum is not individually listed by the ASPCA. As with other Verbascum species, the plant contains saponins; ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets and people. The dense silver hairs can also cause contact skin irritation. Exercise caution but it is not considered severely toxic. 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 silver mullein.

What should I do if my cat ate silver mullein?

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 silver mullein toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to silver mullein?

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 silver mullein pet-safety