What should I do if my cat ate Greek Oregano?

Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if vomiting or diarrhea persists more than a few hours, your cat refuses food, or you suspect exposure to oregano essential oil rather than the plant itself.

What should I do if my dog ate Greek Oregano?

Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if vomiting persists, you see blood in stool, or your dog ingested oregano essential oil. A few chewed leaves usually do not require a visit.

Greek Oregano — (c) Ghislain118 (AD), some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) — Photo by (c) Ghislain118 (AD), some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)iNaturalistCC BY-SA

Photo by (c) Ghislain118 (AD), some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)iNaturalistCC BY-SA

Pet safety reference

Greek Oregano

Q: Is Greek Oregano safe for cats?

Greek Oregano is potentially toxic to cats. Symptoms are typically mild, but ingestion of large amounts may cause discomfort. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat consumes significant quantities.

Q: Is Greek Oregano safe for dogs?

Greek Oregano is potentially toxic to dogs. While generally mild, ingestion of large amounts can irritate the digestive tract. Consult your veterinarian if you observe persistent symptoms.

Origanum vulgare hirtum

Greek Oregano is a popular culinary herb known for its pungent, aromatic leaves and low-growing, spreading habit. While widely used in cooking, ingestion of large quantities by pets can lead to gastrointestinal distress.

Check a list

Greek OreganoOreganoOriganum vulgareOriganum vulgare hirtum

Light: Full sun
Habit: Spreading, mounding
Care: Low

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 gastrointestinal irritation.

Escalation note

Symptoms are typically mild, but ingestion of large amounts may cause discomfort. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat consumes significant quantities.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, diarrhea, and potential gastrointestinal upset.

Escalation note

While generally mild, ingestion of large amounts can irritate the digestive tract. Consult your veterinarian if you observe persistent symptoms.

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

Oregano is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs due to potential gastrointestinal irritation.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Origanum vulgare is a perennial herb in the Lamiaceae family, commonly used as a culinary spice.

cats safety page My cat ate Greek Oregano dogs safety page My dog ate Greek Oregano

Often compared with

Greek Oregano vs Sweet Marjoram

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