Is Wild Cardamom toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists wild cardamom 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 listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant Database; the Useful Tropical Plants database records 'none known' for toxicity, and the fruits are eaten by humans. However, as specific peer-reviewed pet-safety data is absent, classify as mildly-toxic as a precaution — contact your vet if a pet ingests any part of the plant.

Not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant Database; the Useful Tropical Plants database records 'none known' for toxicity, and the fruits are eaten by humans. However, as specific peer-reviewed pet-safety data is absent, classify as mildly-toxic as a precaution — contact your vet if a pet ingests any part of the plant. 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 cardamom.

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: Wild Cardamom is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full wild cardamom 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.