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Pet safety

Is Three-lobed Coneflower toxic to cats?

Rudbeckia triloba

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists three-lobed coneflower 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. Rudbeckia triloba is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database for cats, dogs, or horses; a pet-safe classification cannot be confirmed. As with other rudbeckias, sesquiterpene lactones in the leaf hairs and sap may cause contact dermatitis or mild gastrointestinal irritation if ingested. Consult a vet if a pet ingests a significant quantity.

What to do if your cat ate three-lobed coneflower

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

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

Is three-lobed coneflower toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is three-lobed coneflower toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists three-lobed coneflower 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. Rudbeckia triloba is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database for cats, dogs, or horses; a pet-safe classification cannot be confirmed. As with other rudbeckias, sesquiterpene lactones in the leaf hairs and sap may cause contact dermatitis or mild gastrointestinal irritation if ingested. Consult a vet if a pet ingests a significant quantity.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats three-lobed coneflower?

Rudbeckia triloba is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database for cats, dogs, or horses; a pet-safe classification cannot be confirmed. As with other rudbeckias, sesquiterpene lactones in the leaf hairs and sap may cause contact dermatitis or mild gastrointestinal irritation if ingested. Consult a vet if a pet ingests a significant quantity. 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 three-lobed coneflower.

What should I do if my cat ate three-lobed coneflower?

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 three-lobed coneflower toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Three-lobed Coneflower is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full three-lobed coneflower pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to three-lobed coneflower?

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 three-lobed coneflower pet-safety