What should I do if my cat ate Borage?

Wipe your cat's mouth and any plant residue off her fur with a damp cloth, and rinse skin-contact areas with lukewarm water to limit dermatitis. Do not induce vomiting at home. Bag a leaf sample for the vet and call ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) for guidance on whether to come in. Call your vet if your cat vomits more than once or twice, refuses food, becomes lethargic, develops persistent itching where she brushed the plant, or you witnessed a large ingestion. Don't wait for severe symptoms — cats hide illness well.

What should I do if my dog ate Borage?

Rinse your dog's mouth and any contact areas of skin with lukewarm water to remove plant residue. Do not induce vomiting at home — Wag! veterinary guidance specifically advises against induced vomiting for borage because it can worsen the irritation. Save a plant sample, then call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435). Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea continues past a couple of episodes, your dog seems weak, refuses food, or you suspect more than a mouthful was eaten. For any known large ingestion, call right away — don't wait for symptoms.

Borage — (c) Eleftherios Katsillis, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Eleftherios Katsillis — Photo by (c) Eleftherios Katsillis, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Eleftherios KatsillisiNaturalistCC BY

Photo by (c) Eleftherios Katsillis, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Eleftherios KatsillisiNaturalistCC BY

Pet safety reference

Borage

Q: Is Borage safe for cats?

Borage is potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion can lead to discomfort; please contact your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has consumed any part of this plant.

Q: Is Borage safe for dogs?

Borage is potentially toxic to dogs. While symptoms are often mild, the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids warrants caution; consult a veterinarian for professional guidance.

Borago officinalis

Borage is a flowering herb known for its star-shaped blue flowers and hairy foliage. While often used in culinary applications for humans, it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can be harmful to pets if ingested.

Check a list

Bee breadBorago officinalisStarflowerTalewort

Light: Full sun
Habit: Upright, branching
Care: Low

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Sources

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

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

Gastrointestinal upset including vomiting, diarrhea, and potential liver irritation due to alkaloid content.

Escalation note

Ingestion can lead to discomfort; please contact your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has consumed any part of this plant.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and potential lethargy or signs of abdominal pain.

Escalation note

While symptoms are often mild, the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids warrants caution; consult a veterinarian for professional guidance.

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 Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Borage is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs by the ASPCA.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Borago officinalis is an annual herb in the Boraginaceae family, noted for its culinary and medicinal history.

cats safety page My cat ate Borage dogs safety page My dog ate Borage

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Same growing conditions

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Coreopsis

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