Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Chrysanthemum - what should I do?
Chrysanthemum spp.
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin irritation (dermatitis) upon contact.
Escalation note
Ingestion can lead to gastrointestinal distress and potential coordination issues. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat has ingested any part of this plant.
What to watch for
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, wobbliness or incoordination, and skin redness or irritation where the plant touched fur. Cats may also paw at the mouth or refuse food after a real chew.
Time window
Onset isn't precisely documented. In practice, GI signs typically begin within 30 minutes to 2 hours of chewing; mild cases resolve in 12–24 hours with supportive care.
When to call the vet
Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) for any cat that ingested more than a leaf-tip nibble, that develops wobbliness, that drools or vomits more than once, or that has visible skin irritation. Cats are higher-risk than dogs here.
What this means for your cat
Cats are notably more sensitive to chrysanthemums than dogs because they cannot metabolize pyrethrins well. ASPCA lists mums as toxic to cats; even small chewed amounts can produce GI signs, and any topical exposure to concentrated pyrethrin from the plant can cause more pronounced symptoms.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.