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Is Tufted Vetch toxic to cats?

Vicia cracca

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists tufted vetch 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. Vicia cracca is not individually listed by the ASPCA but the Vicia genus contains species with documented toxicity. Raw seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides and, in large quantities across some Vicia species, canavanine-related compounds linked to systemic granulomatous disease in livestock. As a precaution, classification is mildly-toxic; keep pets from grazing on large quantities of seeds or foliage.

What to do if your cat ate tufted vetch

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

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

Is tufted vetch toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is tufted vetch toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists tufted vetch 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. Vicia cracca is not individually listed by the ASPCA but the Vicia genus contains species with documented toxicity. Raw seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides and, in large quantities across some Vicia species, canavanine-related compounds linked to systemic granulomatous disease in livestock. As a precaution, classification is mildly-toxic; keep pets from grazing on large quantities of seeds or foliage.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats tufted vetch?

Vicia cracca is not individually listed by the ASPCA but the Vicia genus contains species with documented toxicity. Raw seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides and, in large quantities across some Vicia species, canavanine-related compounds linked to systemic granulomatous disease in livestock. As a precaution, classification is mildly-toxic; keep pets from grazing on large quantities of seeds or 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 tufted vetch.

What should I do if my cat ate tufted vetch?

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 vetch toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to tufted vetch?

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 vetch pet-safety