Is Wild Bergamot toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists wild bergamot 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. Not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic/non-toxic plant database. The genus is widely reported as low-risk and is sometimes used as an aromatic herb, but without an explicit ASPCA non-toxic listing it cannot be asserted pet-safe; large quantities may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Treat with caution and verify with a vet before any deliberate pet use.

Not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic/non-toxic plant database. The genus is widely reported as low-risk and is sometimes used as an aromatic herb, but without an explicit ASPCA non-toxic listing it cannot be asserted pet-safe; large quantities may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Treat with caution and verify with a vet before any deliberate pet use. 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 wild bergamot.

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.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Wild Bergamot is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full wild bergamot 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.