Cats & Dogs
UncertainIdentity or evidence quality is not strong enough for a firm answer.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Pet safety reference
Sand Verbena
Abronia fragrans
Sand Verbena is a fragrant, drought-tolerant perennial native to the central and western United States, often found in sandy soils. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though large ingestions of any fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive upset.
Abronia fragransSnowball Sand VerbenaSweet Sand Verbena
- Light
- Full sun
- Habit
- Trailing or mounding
- Care
- Low
Safety status
If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.
Cats — concern notes
Common signs
Under review — original classification flagged as a likely labeler error pending curator verification.
Escalation note
Under review — original classification flagged as a likely labeler error pending curator verification.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
Under review — original classification flagged as a likely labeler error pending curator verification.
Escalation note
Under review — original classification flagged as a likely labeler error pending curator verification.
Safer alternatives
No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.
Source evidence
ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List
toxicology · 99% reliability
Sand Verbena is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.
Plants of the World Online - Abronia fragrans
botanical · 95% reliability
Accepted scientific name and distribution data for Abronia fragrans.
Questions about Sand Verbena
Is Sand Verbena toxic to cats?
Sand Verbena (Abronia fragrans) is not documented as toxic to cats. The ASPCA has not identified a toxic principle in this plant, though the classification is currently under curator review given its similarity to other verbena varieties.
What symptoms would a cat show after eating Sand Verbena?
No symptoms are expected from Abronia fragrans specifically, as no toxic principle is documented. If your cat chewed or ingested fibrous plant material, a single episode of vomiting or soft stool is possible and typically self-limiting within 24 hours.
What should I do if my cat ate Sand Verbena?
Monitor your cat closely. If vomiting persists beyond one episode, or if you're uncertain whether your cat ate Sand Verbena versus a toxic verbena lookalike, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. No urgent treatment threshold is documented for this plant.
Could my cat have eaten a toxic plant that looks like Sand Verbena?
Yes — this is worth considering. Sand Verbena (Abronia fragrans) is not toxic, but other plants called 'verbena' or with similar common names may have different safety profiles. If you're unsure which plant your cat ate, contact your vet with a photo or sample of the plant for identification.
Is Sand Verbena toxic to dogs?
Sand Verbena (Abronia fragrans) is classified as non-toxic to dogs — the ASPCA does not document a toxic principle for this plant. That said, the classification is currently under review pending curator verification, so if your dog ate a significant amount, monitor for GI upset and call your vet if symptoms persist.
What happens if my dog eats Sand Verbena?
No toxic symptoms are expected from Sand Verbena specifically. A dog that chewed leaves or flower heads may experience transient stomach upset from the plant fiber alone; any such GI upset would typically resolve within 24 hours.
What should I do if my dog ate Sand Verbena?
No emergency action is required for a small ingestion. Watch for vomiting or diarrhea, and call your vet if either continues past one episode. If there's any chance your dog actually ate Lantana or another toxic lookalike instead of Sand Verbena, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Could Sand Verbena be confused with a toxic plant my dog should avoid?
The vet guidance for this plant specifically flags Lantana as a potential lookalike concern — Lantana is toxic to dogs and causes more serious symptoms. If you're not certain which plant your dog ate, call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 rather than assuming it was Sand Verbena.
Same safety verdict
Other plants with the same verdict
Blue Bead Lily
Clintonia borealis
Clintonia borealis is a woodland perennial known for its glossy leaves and striking blue berries. While generally considered safe for pets, it is not intended for consumption.
Uncertain for cats & dogs.
Blue-dicks
Dichelostemma pulchellum
Dichelostemma pulchellum is a cormous perennial wildflower native to western North America, known for its clusters of violet-blue, tubular flowers. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though its fibrous nature may cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.
Uncertain for cats & dogs.
Creeping Rubus
Rubus pedatus
Creeping Rubus is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial groundcover known for its delicate foliage and trailing habit. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause mild digestive discomfort.
Uncertain for cats & dogs.
Dichelostemma
Dichelostemma species
Dichelostemma is a genus of flowering corms in the asparagus family known for their unique, tubular, cluster-forming blooms. They are considered non-toxic to pets, though their fibrous nature may cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.
Uncertain for cats & dogs.
Same growing conditions
Plants for the same room
Carrot
Daucus carota var. sativa
The carrot is a popular root vegetable often grown in home gardens, known for its edible taproot and feathery foliage. It is considered safe for pets, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may occasionally cause minor digestive upset.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Dill
Anethum graveolens
Dill is a popular culinary herb known for its feathery, aromatic foliage and is generally considered safe for household pets. While non-toxic, consuming large amounts of the fibrous plant material may occasionally cause mild digestive upset in some animals.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Moss Phlox
Phlox subulata
Moss Phlox is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial known for its vibrant spring blooms and needle-like foliage. It is widely considered safe for households with pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Not yet rated for cats.
Generally safe for dogs.
Onion
Allium cepa
The onion is a bulbous vegetable widely used in cooking that contains compounds capable of damaging red blood cells in pets. Ingestion of any part of the plant, including the bulb, can lead to serious health complications.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.