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Pet safety

Is Skirret toxic to cats?

Sium sisarum

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists skirret 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. Not individually listed by the ASPCA. The genus Sium includes water-parsnips that can be toxic to livestock, so although the cultivated roots are a traditional human food, treat it as uncertain for pets and verify with a vet before allowing access.

What to do if your cat ate skirret

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

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

Is skirret toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is skirret toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists skirret 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. Not individually listed by the ASPCA. The genus Sium includes water-parsnips that can be toxic to livestock, so although the cultivated roots are a traditional human food, treat it as uncertain for pets and verify with a vet before allowing access.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats skirret?

Not individually listed by the ASPCA. The genus Sium includes water-parsnips that can be toxic to livestock, so although the cultivated roots are a traditional human food, treat it as uncertain for pets and verify with a vet before allowing access. 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 skirret.

What should I do if my cat ate skirret?

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 skirret toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to skirret?

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 skirret pet-safety