Is Spotted Bee Balm toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists spotted bee balm 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. Monarda punctata is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The leaves and flowers contain significant concentrations of thymol and carvacrol (volatile phenols), which are toxic to cats and dogs in substantial amounts — causing oral irritation, vomiting, and central nervous system effects. Classified as mildly-toxic; avoid allowing pets to graze on foliage.

Monarda punctata is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The leaves and flowers contain significant concentrations of thymol and carvacrol (volatile phenols), which are toxic to cats and dogs in substantial amounts — causing oral irritation, vomiting, and central nervous system effects. Classified as mildly-toxic; avoid allowing pets to graze on foliage. 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 spotted bee balm.

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.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Spotted Bee Balm is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full spotted bee balm pet-safety guide for both species.

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.