What should I do if my cat ate Watercress?

Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) if vomiting or diarrhea persists more than a few hours, your cat refuses food or water, or signs worsen rather than improve. For a single nibble in an otherwise well cat, monitoring is usually enough.

What should I do if my dog ate Watercress?

Remove any remaining plant material from your dog's mouth and offer fresh water. Do not induce vomiting at home unless a veterinarian or poison-control specialist tells you to — Pet Poison Helpline notes that inducing vomiting without professional guidance can do more harm than good. Then call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435). Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) if vomiting or diarrhea is severe, bloody, lasts more than a few episodes, or if your dog seems weak or dehydrated. A small mouthful that produces a single bout of vomiting and otherwise normal behavior is rarely an emergency, but a phone consult is still the safest call.

Watercress — (c) Andrew Tree, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew Tree — Photo by (c) Andrew Tree, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew TreeiNaturalistCC BY

Photo by (c) Andrew Tree, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew TreeiNaturalistCC BY

Pet safety reference

Watercress

Q: Is Watercress safe for cats?

Watercress is potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion typically results in mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat consumes a large amount or shows persistent symptoms.

Q: Is Watercress safe for dogs?

Watercress is potentially toxic to dogs. Ingestion can lead to digestive irritation. Always consult a veterinarian if your dog exhibits signs of distress after eating this plant.

Nasturtium officinale

Nasturtium officinale is an aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial plant often grown for culinary use, but it can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested by pets. It is distinct from the common garden Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus).

Check a list

NasturtiumNasturtium officinaleWatercress

Light: Bright indirect light
Habit: Trailing or creeping
Care: High (requires constant moisture)

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

Vomiting, diarrhea, and potential drooling.

Escalation note

Ingestion typically results in mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat consumes a large amount or shows persistent symptoms.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.

Escalation note

Ingestion can lead to digestive irritation. Always consult a veterinarian if your dog exhibits signs of distress after eating this plant.

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

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

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Official botanical record for Nasturtium officinale R.Br.

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

Same safety verdict

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Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Same growing conditions

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African Violet

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Brazilian Orchid

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Uncertain for cats.

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