Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Tree Wormwood toxic to cats?

Artemisia arborescens

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists tree wormwood 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. Not individually listed by ASPCA. The Artemisia genus contains thujone and volatile essential oils; ASPCA records tarragon (A. dracunculus) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses (vomiting, diarrhea). A. arborescens should be treated as mildly toxic to pets by genus association. Traditional medicinal use confirms biological activity — keep away from pets and children.

What to do if your cat ate tree wormwood

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

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

Is tree wormwood toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is tree wormwood toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists tree wormwood 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. Not individually listed by ASPCA. The Artemisia genus contains thujone and volatile essential oils; ASPCA records tarragon (A. dracunculus) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses (vomiting, diarrhea). A. arborescens should be treated as mildly toxic to pets by genus association. Traditional medicinal use confirms biological activity — keep away from pets and children.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats tree wormwood?

Not individually listed by ASPCA. The Artemisia genus contains thujone and volatile essential oils; ASPCA records tarragon (A. dracunculus) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses (vomiting, diarrhea). A. arborescens should be treated as mildly toxic to pets by genus association. Traditional medicinal use confirms biological activity — keep away from pets and children. 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 tree wormwood.

What should I do if my cat ate tree wormwood?

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 tree wormwood toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Tree Wormwood is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full tree wormwood pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to tree wormwood?

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 tree wormwood pet-safety