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Pet safety

Is Variable-Leaved Butterwort toxic to cats?

Pinguicula heterophylla

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists variable-leaved butterwort 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. Pinguicula heterophylla is not specifically listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The Pinguicula genus is not a known highly toxic group; ingestion is expected to cause only mild, transient gastrointestinal upset in cats and dogs. A precautionary mildly-toxic rating is applied pending confirmed ASPCA non-toxic status.

What to do if your cat ate variable-leaved butterwort

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

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

Is variable-leaved butterwort toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is variable-leaved butterwort toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists variable-leaved butterwort 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. Pinguicula heterophylla is not specifically listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The Pinguicula genus is not a known highly toxic group; ingestion is expected to cause only mild, transient gastrointestinal upset in cats and dogs. A precautionary mildly-toxic rating is applied pending confirmed ASPCA non-toxic status.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats variable-leaved butterwort?

Pinguicula heterophylla is not specifically listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database. The Pinguicula genus is not a known highly toxic group; ingestion is expected to cause only mild, transient gastrointestinal upset in cats and dogs. A precautionary mildly-toxic rating is applied pending confirmed ASPCA non-toxic status. 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 variable-leaved butterwort.

What should I do if my cat ate variable-leaved butterwort?

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 variable-leaved butterwort toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Variable-Leaved Butterwort is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full variable-leaved butterwort pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to variable-leaved butterwort?

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 variable-leaved butterwort pet-safety