What should I do if my cat ate Peony?

Per Pet Poison Helpline, get the cat away from the plant and gently wipe plant material from in and around the mouth with a damp cloth. Never induce vomiting in a cat. Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea persists more than a few hours, your cat refuses food and water, or the lethargy looks severe. A same-day appointment is normally appropriate; ER care is rarely needed.

What should I do if my dog ate Peony?

Per Pet Poison Helpline, get the dog away from the plant and gently wipe plant material from in and around the mouth with a damp cloth. Do not induce vomiting unless your veterinarian specifically tells you to. Call your vet if symptoms last more than a few hours, your dog can't keep water down, or seems weak, painful, or unusually flat. A same-day appointment is normally appropriate; ER care is rarely necessary.

Peony — (c) Ljaž, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ljaž — Photo by (c) Ljaž, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by LjažiNaturalistCC BY

Photo by (c) Ljaž, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by LjažiNaturalistCC BY

Pet safety reference

Peony

Q: Is Peony safe for cats?

Peony is potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion typically results in mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat has consumed any part of this plant.

Q: Is Peony safe for dogs?

Peony is potentially toxic to dogs. Symptoms are generally limited to the digestive tract. Consult a veterinarian if you suspect your dog has ingested the plant to ensure proper monitoring.

Paeonia officinalis

The peony is a popular garden perennial known for its large, showy blooms. While prized for its beauty, all parts of the plant contain paeonol, which can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested by pets.

Check a list

Garden PeonyPaeonia officinalisPeony

Light: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Herbaceous perennial
Care: Moderate

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 lethargy.

Escalation note

Ingestion typically results in mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat has consumed any part of this plant.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.

Escalation note

Symptoms are generally limited to the digestive tract. Consult a veterinarian if you suspect your dog has ingested the plant to ensure proper monitoring.

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

Peony is listed as toxic to dogs and cats, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted scientific name and botanical classification for Paeonia officinalis.

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

Same safety verdict

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Ranger's Button is a perennial herb native to the western United States, known for its distinct, button-like flower clusters. It is considered toxic to pets if ingested and should be kept out of reach.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.