Cuban Oregano

Yes, Cuban Oregano (Coleus amboinicus) is potentially toxic to cats. The plant contains essential oils that can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy if ingested.

Watch for drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea — sometimes with traces of blood — as well as loss of appetite, depression, and lethargy. If your cat brushed against a damaged plant, check for skin irritation or redness where sap contacted the fur. GI signs typically begin within a few hours of ingestion.

Move your cat away from the plant and wipe any plant residue from the muzzle and paws with a damp cloth. Rinse the mouth gently with water if your cat tolerates it. Do not induce vomiting and do not give activated charcoal at home — these can be dangerous with essential-oil exposures. Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.

Cats metabolize phenolic essential-oil compounds poorly, which means the oils in Cuban Oregano can affect them more severely than other species. Because of this metabolic limitation, you should not try to wait out symptoms — call your vet promptly if your cat shows repeated vomiting, bloody stool, marked listlessness, or any difficulty breathing.

Yes, Cuban Oregano (Coleus amboinicus) is potentially toxic to dogs. The essential oils in its fleshy, aromatic leaves irritate the digestive system and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.

Expect vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), drooling, depression, and loss of appetite. After a large ingestion you may also see an uncoordinated gait, tremors, or labored breathing; check the lips and gums for redness if your dog chewed the leaves. Most GI signs appear within a few hours and typically resolve within 24 hours with supportive care.

Move your dog away from the plant and wipe any plant material from its mouth and coat, then offer fresh water. Do not induce vomiting at home — emetics and activated charcoal can be problematic with essential-oil exposures. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for guidance.

Cuban Oregano's toxicity comes from its essential oils, and VCA cautions that using emetics or activated charcoal with essential-oil exposures can cause additional harm rather than help. For this reason, decontamination should be directed by a veterinarian rather than attempted at home.