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Pet safety

Is Spanish Sage toxic to cats?

Salvia lavandulifolia

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists spanish sage 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. Salvia lavandulifolia is not individually listed in the ASPCA database; Salvia officinalis (common sage) is listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats. The essential oils (camphor, 1,8-cineole, thujone) present in Spanish sage can cause gastrointestinal upset or CNS effects if ingested in large amounts, so treat as mildly toxic and keep out of reach of pets.

What to do if your cat ate spanish sage

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

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

Is spanish sage toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is spanish sage toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists spanish sage 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. Salvia lavandulifolia is not individually listed in the ASPCA database; Salvia officinalis (common sage) is listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats. The essential oils (camphor, 1,8-cineole, thujone) present in Spanish sage can cause gastrointestinal upset or CNS effects if ingested in large amounts, so treat as mildly toxic and keep out of reach of pets.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats spanish sage?

Salvia lavandulifolia is not individually listed in the ASPCA database; Salvia officinalis (common sage) is listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats. The essential oils (camphor, 1,8-cineole, thujone) present in Spanish sage can cause gastrointestinal upset or CNS effects if ingested in large amounts, so treat as mildly toxic and keep out of reach of pets. 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 spanish sage.

What should I do if my cat ate spanish sage?

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 spanish sage toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to spanish sage?

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 spanish sage pet-safety