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Pet safety

Is Silver Tansy toxic to cats?

Tanacetum niveum

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists silver tansy 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. Tanacetum niveum is not individually listed by the ASPCA but belongs to the Tanacetum genus, which the ASPCA classifies as toxic to dogs and cats. The plant likely contains sesquiterpene lactones and potentially pyrethrins, which can cause gastrointestinal upset, hypersalivation, and skin irritation. Treat as mildly toxic to pets as a precautionary measure.

What to do if your cat ate silver tansy

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

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

Is silver tansy toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is silver tansy toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists silver tansy 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. Tanacetum niveum is not individually listed by the ASPCA but belongs to the Tanacetum genus, which the ASPCA classifies as toxic to dogs and cats. The plant likely contains sesquiterpene lactones and potentially pyrethrins, which can cause gastrointestinal upset, hypersalivation, and skin irritation. Treat as mildly toxic to pets as a precautionary measure.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats silver tansy?

Tanacetum niveum is not individually listed by the ASPCA but belongs to the Tanacetum genus, which the ASPCA classifies as toxic to dogs and cats. The plant likely contains sesquiterpene lactones and potentially pyrethrins, which can cause gastrointestinal upset, hypersalivation, and skin irritation. Treat as mildly toxic to pets as a precautionary measure. 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 tansy.

What should I do if my cat ate silver tansy?

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 tansy toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to silver tansy?

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 tansy pet-safety