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Is White Sage Brush toxic to cats?

Artemisia ludoviciana

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists white sage brush 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. Artemisia ludoviciana is not individually listed by the ASPCA as toxic, but the Artemisia genus contains thujone (a potentially neurotoxic monoterpene ketone) and sesquiterpene lactones that can cause gastrointestinal upset, contact dermatitis, and allergic reactions. In large amounts, thujone-containing plants have caused neurological effects in livestock. Treat as mildly toxic to pets; avoid allowing sustained grazing. Also a known cause of allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive people.

What to do if your cat ate white sage brush

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

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

Is white sage brush toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is white sage brush toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists white sage brush 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. Artemisia ludoviciana is not individually listed by the ASPCA as toxic, but the Artemisia genus contains thujone (a potentially neurotoxic monoterpene ketone) and sesquiterpene lactones that can cause gastrointestinal upset, contact dermatitis, and allergic reactions. In large amounts, thujone-containing plants have caused neurological effects in livestock. Treat as mildly toxic to pets; avoid allowing sustained grazing. Also a known cause of allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive people.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats white sage brush?

Artemisia ludoviciana is not individually listed by the ASPCA as toxic, but the Artemisia genus contains thujone (a potentially neurotoxic monoterpene ketone) and sesquiterpene lactones that can cause gastrointestinal upset, contact dermatitis, and allergic reactions. In large amounts, thujone-containing plants have caused neurological effects in livestock. Treat as mildly toxic to pets; avoid allowing sustained grazing. Also a known cause of allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive people. 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 sage brush.

What should I do if my cat ate white sage brush?

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 white sage brush toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to white sage brush?

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 white sage brush pet-safety