Is White-flowered Beardtongue toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists white-flowered beardtongue 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. Penstemon albidus is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database for cats, dogs, or horses. No confirmed toxic principle has been identified for the genus, but the safety status cannot be affirmed; iridoid glycosides present in related Plantaginaceae genera may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in quantity. Contact a vet if a pet ingests significant amounts.

Penstemon albidus is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database for cats, dogs, or horses. No confirmed toxic principle has been identified for the genus, but the safety status cannot be affirmed; iridoid glycosides present in related Plantaginaceae genera may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in quantity. Contact a vet if a pet ingests significant amounts. 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 white-flowered beardtongue.

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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: White-flowered Beardtongue is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full white-flowered beardtongue pet-safety guide for both species.

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.