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Pet safety

Is Tufted Hair Grass toxic to cats?

Deschampsia cespitosa

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists tufted hair grass 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. Deschampsia cespitosa is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database, so a definitive pet-safe status cannot be confirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. As with any grass, ingestion of large amounts may cause mild gastrointestinal upset or vomiting in cats and dogs.

What to do if your cat ate tufted hair grass

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

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

Is tufted hair grass toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is tufted hair grass toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists tufted hair grass 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. Deschampsia cespitosa is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database, so a definitive pet-safe status cannot be confirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. As with any grass, ingestion of large amounts may cause mild gastrointestinal upset or vomiting in cats and dogs.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats tufted hair grass?

Deschampsia cespitosa is not individually listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database, so a definitive pet-safe status cannot be confirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. As with any grass, ingestion of large amounts may cause mild gastrointestinal upset or vomiting in cats and dogs. 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 tufted hair grass.

What should I do if my cat ate tufted hair grass?

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 tufted hair grass toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Tufted Hair Grass is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full tufted hair grass pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to tufted hair grass?

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 tufted hair grass pet-safety