Is Nasturtium Safe for Cats?

Tropaeolum majus

Nasturtium is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. It is edible for people (peppery leaves and flowers) and safe if a cat nibbles it.

Because it trails and climbs, it is a sensible replacement for clematis and honeysuckle along a cat-accessible boundary.

What to watch for in the UK

• Sow directly in May; grows almost anywhere.
• Trailing varieties work in pots and hanging baskets.
• Attracts aphids and blackfly away from vegetables — useful on an allotment.
• Edible flowers for people, not a cat food.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Nothing to do.
2. Watch for vomiting if a lot was eaten at once.

Take a photo of the plant, and a cutting if you can do it safely — identification is half of the vet's decision. Out of hours, use your practice's emergency number. This page explains risk; it cannot diagnose your cat and it contains no home treatments.

If your cat has vomited after eating a plant, see the cat vomiting guide and, if there is blood, vomiting blood. For a general red-flag checklist, use sick cat symptoms. If the worry is food rather than a plant, the can cats eat guide covers 36 everyday foods.

Related plants

Browse the full UK plant checklist (72 plants).