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Is Viper's Bugloss toxic to cats?

Echium vulgare

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists viper's bugloss 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. Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (echimidine and related compounds). The ASPCA lists Echium vulgare as toxic to horses, causing cumulative liver disease when ingested in quantity over time. The ASPCA does not separately list cats or dogs as affected species, but pyrrolizidine alkaloids are hepatotoxic across many animal species; the bristly stems also cause contact skin irritation in humans. Treat as mildly-toxic around cats and dogs pending further species-specific data, and wear gloves when handling.

What to do if your cat ate viper's bugloss

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

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

Is viper's bugloss toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is viper's bugloss toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists viper's bugloss 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. Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (echimidine and related compounds). The ASPCA lists Echium vulgare as toxic to horses, causing cumulative liver disease when ingested in quantity over time. The ASPCA does not separately list cats or dogs as affected species, but pyrrolizidine alkaloids are hepatotoxic across many animal species; the bristly stems also cause contact skin irritation in humans. Treat as mildly-toxic around cats and dogs pending further species-specific data, and wear gloves when handling.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats viper's bugloss?

Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (echimidine and related compounds). The ASPCA lists Echium vulgare as toxic to horses, causing cumulative liver disease when ingested in quantity over time. The ASPCA does not separately list cats or dogs as affected species, but pyrrolizidine alkaloids are hepatotoxic across many animal species; the bristly stems also cause contact skin irritation in humans. Treat as mildly-toxic around cats and dogs pending further species-specific data, and wear gloves when handling. 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 viper's bugloss.

What should I do if my cat ate viper's bugloss?

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 viper's bugloss toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Viper's Bugloss is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full viper's bugloss pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to viper's bugloss?

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 viper's bugloss pet-safety