Pet safety
Is Southern Wild Rice toxic to cats?
Zizaniopsis miliacea
No — southern wild rice 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. Zizaniopsis miliacea belongs to the Poaceae (grass) family, which has no known toxic principles harmful to dogs, cats, or horses. It is not listed as toxic by the ASPCA. The seeds and young rhizome tips have a documented history of edible use by humans. As with all grasses, large ingestion of fibrous material may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets, but no toxic compounds are reported.
Is southern wild rice toxic to cats? — FAQ
Is southern wild rice toxic to cats?
No — southern wild rice 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. Zizaniopsis miliacea belongs to the Poaceae (grass) family, which has no known toxic principles harmful to dogs, cats, or horses. It is not listed as toxic by the ASPCA. The seeds and young rhizome tips have a documented history of edible use by humans. As with all grasses, large ingestion of fibrous material may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets, but no toxic compounds are reported.
Is southern wild rice safe for cats?
Yes — the ASPCA lists southern wild rice 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 southern wild rice toxic to dogs too?
The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Southern Wild Rice is non-toxic to dogs as well. See the full southern wild rice 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 southern wild rice pet-safety
- Is southern wild rice toxic to cats and dogs? — the full guide for both pets
- Is southern wild rice toxic to dogs?
- Best cats-safe plants — the full ASPCA non-toxic list
- Complete southern wild rice care guide