Pet safety
Is Small's Beardtongue toxic to cats?
Penstemon smallii
No — small's beardtongue is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats. It is a sensible choice for a home with a cat; a curious nibble will not poison them, though no plant is meant to be eaten. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. Penstemon smallii is not listed as toxic by the ASPCA. The genus Penstemon (Plantaginaceae) has no known toxic principles reported in veterinary or botanical toxicology literature. Safe around cats, dogs, and children; very large ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation.
Is small's beardtongue toxic to cats? — FAQ
Is small's beardtongue toxic to cats?
No — small's beardtongue is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats. It is a sensible choice for a home with a cat; a curious nibble will not poison them, though no plant is meant to be eaten. Penstemon smallii is not listed as toxic by the ASPCA. The genus Penstemon (Plantaginaceae) has no known toxic principles reported in veterinary or botanical toxicology literature. Safe around cats, dogs, and children; very large ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation.
Is small's beardtongue safe for cats?
Yes — the ASPCA lists small's beardtongue as non-toxic to cats and dogs. A cat that chews a large amount of any foliage can still get a mild, brief stomach upset, so discourage grazing, but it will not be poisoned.
Is small's beardtongue toxic to dogs too?
The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Small's Beardtongue is non-toxic to dogs as well. See the full small's beardtongue pet-safety guide for both species.
What other plants are safe for cats?
Reliable ASPCA non-toxic picks for a cat home include spider plant, calathea, parlor palm, peperomia, and most true ferns. Browse the best cats-safe plants list to check more before you buy.
Full small's beardtongue pet-safety
- Is small's beardtongue toxic to cats and dogs? — the full guide for both pets
- Is small's beardtongue toxic to dogs?
- Best cats-safe plants — the full ASPCA non-toxic list
- Complete small's beardtongue care guide