Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Cuban Oregano - what should I do?
Coleus amboinicus
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
Vomiting, diarrhea, and potential lethargy or loss of appetite.
Escalation note
Ingestion of plant material may cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat shows signs of distress.
First aid at home
Move the cat away from the plant and wipe any plant residue from the muzzle and paws with a damp cloth. Rinse the mouth gently with water if the cat tolerates it. Do not induce vomiting and do not give activated charcoal at home — VCA warns that home remedies can be dangerous with essential-oil exposures. Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
What to watch for
Drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea — sometimes with traces of blood; loss of appetite, depression, and lethargy; pawing at the mouth or oral redness. If the cat brushed against a damaged plant, watch for skin irritation where sap touched the fur.
Time window
GI signs typically begin within a few hours of ingestion and resolve within about 24 hours with supportive care. Exact onset numbers are not well documented in the cited sources.
When to call the vet
Call promptly for repeated vomiting, bloody vomit or stool, marked listlessness, or any sign of difficulty breathing. Cats metabolize phenolic essential-oil compounds poorly, so don't try to ride out symptoms.
What this means for your cat
Cats — toxic. ASPCA classifies Coleus (Plectranthus / Coleus amboinicus) as toxic to cats; the essential oils in the leaves irritate the mouth, GI tract, and skin. Cats are notably sensitive to plant essential oils, so even chewing a leaf or rubbing against a damaged stem can trigger a reaction.
Sources: ASPCA, VCA Animal Hospitals.
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.