Sweet Marjoram

Yes, sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana) is considered potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal irritation, though symptoms are typically mild to moderate.

The most common signs are vomiting and diarrhea, usually appearing within 1–6 hours of ingestion. Some cats also drool, lip-smack, or briefly lose their appetite after chewing the leaves. Symptoms generally resolve within 12–24 hours with supportive care.

Monitor your cat closely for vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy. If symptoms continue past 12 hours, your cat stops eating, or a young or small cat ate a large amount, call your vet. For any exposure to concentrated marjoram essential oil — whether on the skin or ingested — call immediately. You can also reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Plain herb ingestion is typically a low-level concern, but escalate quickly if your cat is small or young and ate a large quantity, if vomiting or lethargy persists beyond a few hours, or if the exposure involved concentrated marjoram essential oil rather than fresh or dried leaves, as the oil form poses a higher risk.

Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana) is classified as potentially toxic to dogs. Ingestion typically causes mild gastrointestinal upset — vomiting and diarrhea — rather than serious systemic effects, but large quantities or exposure to concentrated marjoram essential oil can be more concerning.

The main signs are vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, reluctance to eat, and mild belly tenderness. Symptoms typically begin within 1–4 hours of ingestion and clear within 12–24 hours with supportive care. Repeated vomiting past 24 hours, blood in the stool, or severe lethargy are signs the situation is worsening.

Remove access to the plant, note roughly how much was eaten, and monitor your dog closely. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if vomiting or diarrhea persists beyond 24 hours, your dog can't keep water down, you see blood in vomit or stool, or if the exposure involved concentrated marjoram or oregano essential oil — especially in a small or young dog.

Yes — concentrated essential oils are significantly more potent than the fresh or dried herb, and the data specifically calls out marjoram and oregano essential oil as warranting an immediate call to a vet, particularly for small or young dogs. If your dog contacted the oil rather than the plant, treat it as an urgent situation and contact ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 right away.