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Is Empress of India Nasturtium toxic to cats?

Tropaeolum majus

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists empress of india nasturtium 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. The ASPCA lists Tropaeolum majus as toxic to dogs and cats, with ingestion potentially causing gastrointestinal irritation. While the flowers and foliage are edible and peppery for humans, pets should be discouraged from eating this plant.

What to do if your cat ate empress of india nasturtium

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move empress of india nasturtium 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 empress of india nasturtium to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is empress of india nasturtium toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is empress of india nasturtium toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists empress of india nasturtium 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. The ASPCA lists Tropaeolum majus as toxic to dogs and cats, with ingestion potentially causing gastrointestinal irritation. While the flowers and foliage are edible and peppery for humans, pets should be discouraged from eating this plant.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats empress of india nasturtium?

The ASPCA lists Tropaeolum majus as toxic to dogs and cats, with ingestion potentially causing gastrointestinal irritation. While the flowers and foliage are edible and peppery for humans, pets should be discouraged from eating this plant. 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 empress of india nasturtium.

What should I do if my cat ate empress of india nasturtium?

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 empress of india nasturtium toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Empress of India Nasturtium is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full empress of india nasturtium pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to empress of india nasturtium?

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 empress of india nasturtium pet-safety