Mayweed

Yes, mayweed (Anthemis cotula) is considered potentially toxic to cats. It can cause irritation both through skin contact and ingestion, with effects including dermatitis, oral irritation, drooling, and gastrointestinal upset.

Skin contact can cause contact dermatitis — redness, itching, and patchy hair loss where the cat touched the plant, typically appearing within hours. If ingested, watch for vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and decreased appetite; GI signs usually emerge within a few hours and resolve in 24 to 48 hours with supportive care. Long-term exposure has been associated with bleeding tendencies.

If your cat brushed against the plant, rinse the affected fur with cool water and mild pet shampoo to remove any residue. For ingestion, remove any plant material from the mouth and call your vet — do not induce vomiting at home. If your cat shows persistent vomiting, refuses food, develops a spreading or oozing skin reaction, or any allergic-type swelling, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

Mayweed contains irritating compounds that can trigger contact dermatitis when a cat's skin or fur comes into contact with the plant. The reaction appears as redness, itching, and patchy hair loss at the contact site, and is distinct from ingestion-related GI symptoms, meaning a cat can react just from walking through or rubbing against the plant without eating it.

Yes, mayweed (Anthemis cotula) is considered toxic to dogs. The plant contains volatile oils that can irritate the skin, mucous membranes, and digestive tract upon contact or ingestion.

The most common reactions are contact dermatitis — red, itchy skin where your dog brushed against the plant — along with vomiting and diarrhea from ingestion. Less commonly, dogs may show anorexia or allergic reactions. Severity is usually mild to moderate from a single encounter, though chronic exposure may increase risk.

If your dog ate more than a nibble, is vomiting repeatedly, has skin irritation that isn't improving, or has stopped eating, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Mild, brief contact with minor itching can often be monitored at home, but escalate if symptoms worsen.

Contact dermatitis from skin exposure typically appears within hours of contact; gastrointestinal signs from ingestion generally show up the same day. The ASPCA does not document a precise onset window for this plant, so monitor your dog closely for the full 24 hours after any exposure.