Tickseed — (c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller
Photo by (c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan RockefelleriNaturalistCC BY
cat safety reference

Is Tickseed safe for cats?

Coreopsis californica

Tickseed is a cheerful, daisy-like flowering plant often found in gardens and meadows. It is considered safe for pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

California CoreopsisCoreopsisCoreopsis californica
Light
Full sun
Habit
Clumping herbaceous perennial
Care
Low

Safety status

Cats

Generally safe

Consulted references do not classify the plant as toxic for that pet type, while still allowing for mild GI upset if large amounts are chewed.

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

What this means for your cat

Tickseed is non-toxic to cats per ASPCA, which lists both Coreopsis californica and the genus Coreopsis as safe for cats.

Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance; non-toxic listing).

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.

Catsconcern notes

Common signs

None expected; however, consumption of large amounts of fibrous plant material may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

Generally considered non-toxic. If your cat consumes a significant amount and shows persistent signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.

Bring it home

Tickseedis generally pet-safe in ordinary household exposure. If you’d like one for your space, here’s a starting point.

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Tickseed is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted botanical classification for Coreopsis californica.

Cats & dogs pagedogs page

Same cat verdict

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