Cats
Potentially toxicConsulted 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
cat safety reference
Is Epazote safe for cats?
Chenopodium ambrosioides
Epazote is an aromatic herb often used in culinary applications, but it contains essential oils that can be harmful to pets if ingested in significant quantities. It is best kept out of reach of curious cats and dogs.
Chenopodium ambrosioidesDysphania ambrosioidesJerusalem teaMexican tea
- Light
- Full sun
- Habit
- Upright herbaceous annual
- Care
- Low
Safety status
What this means for your cat
Cats: epazote is listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats. The risk is very different depending on form — a nibble of leaf is mostly a GI irritant, but concentrated epazote essential oil is genuinely dangerous because cats poorly metabolise the ascaridole and limonene it contains.
What to watch for
Watch for vomiting and diarrhoea after a leaf nibble. With essential-oil exposure, signs are more pronounced — repeated vomiting, drooling, lethargy. The ASPCA flags ascaridole, limonene, and p-cymene as the toxic principles.
Time window
Onset and recovery times for epazote in cats are not well documented in the cited sources.
When to call the vet
Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if your cat ingests concentrated epazote oil, if vomiting persists more than a couple of hours, or if your cat becomes lethargic, wobbly, or refuses food.
Sources: ASPCA.
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
Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and potential neurological signs such as tremors or incoordination.
Escalation note
Ingestion of the plant material or concentrated oils can lead to gastrointestinal distress. Please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center immediately if you suspect ingestion.
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
Epazote is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs by the ASPCA.
Questions about Epazote
Is epazote toxic to cats?
Yes, epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides) is potentially toxic to cats. The plant contains essential oils — including ascaridole, limonene, and p-cymene — that can cause harm if ingested in significant quantities.
What symptoms will my cat show after eating epazote?
A cat that nibbles epazote leaves may vomit or have diarrhea. Larger ingestions, especially involving concentrated oils, can cause more serious signs: repeated vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and neurological symptoms such as tremors or incoordination.
What should I do if my cat ate epazote?
Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 right away, especially if your cat ingested concentrated epazote oil, vomiting persists more than a couple of hours, or your cat becomes lethargic, wobbly, or refuses food. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen before seeking help.
Which parts of epazote are dangerous to cats, and are the oils worse than the leaves?
Both the plant material and its concentrated essential oils pose a risk, but concentrated oils are more dangerous — signs tend to be more pronounced with oil exposure than with a simple leaf nibble. The toxic principles identified by the ASPCA are ascaridole, limonene, and p-cymene, which are most concentrated in the oils.
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