Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Lovage - what should I do?
Levisticum officinale
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
Dermatitis, photosensitivity, and potential gastrointestinal upset if ingested.
Escalation note
While typically mild, ingestion can cause skin irritation or sensitivity to sunlight. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat has consumed this plant.
What to watch for
Skin redness or irritation where the plant brushed against fur or bare skin, mild vomiting or drooling, and reduced appetite. Cats that have rubbed against or chewed leaves may also paw at their face from the bitter taste.
Time window
GI and skin reactions typically begin within hours of contact; the ASPCA does not publish a specific recovery window for lovage in cats.
When to call the vet
Call your vet if vomiting persists for more than half a day, skin irritation spreads or blisters, or your cat skips the next meal entirely.
What this means for your cat
Cats should not graze on lovage. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats due to volatile oils — particularly phthalide lactones — which can irritate the skin and stomach. Most exposures cause mild signs rather than emergencies, but cats are more sensitive to plant essential oils than dogs.
Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance).
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.