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Pet safety

Is Woolly yarrow toxic to cats?

Achillea tomentosa

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists woolly yarrow 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. As an Achillea species, A. tomentosa contains sesquiterpene lactones and achilleine, which can cause contact dermatitis and gastrointestinal upset in pets and sensitive people. ASPCA lists Achillea millefolium as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses; treat this species with equal caution. The woolly foliage reduces palatability to grazing animals.

What to do if your cat ate woolly yarrow

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

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

Is woolly yarrow toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is woolly yarrow toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists woolly yarrow 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. As an Achillea species, A. tomentosa contains sesquiterpene lactones and achilleine, which can cause contact dermatitis and gastrointestinal upset in pets and sensitive people. ASPCA lists Achillea millefolium as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses; treat this species with equal caution. The woolly foliage reduces palatability to grazing animals.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats woolly yarrow?

As an Achillea species, A. tomentosa contains sesquiterpene lactones and achilleine, which can cause contact dermatitis and gastrointestinal upset in pets and sensitive people. ASPCA lists Achillea millefolium as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses; treat this species with equal caution. The woolly foliage reduces palatability to grazing animals. 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 woolly yarrow.

What should I do if my cat ate woolly yarrow?

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 woolly yarrow toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Woolly yarrow is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full woolly yarrow pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to woolly yarrow?

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 woolly yarrow pet-safety