Stevia — (c) cstobie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by cstobie
Photo by (c) cstobie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by cstobieiNaturalistCC BY
cat safety reference

Is Stevia safe for cats?

Stevia rebaudiana

Stevia is a perennial herb widely cultivated for its intensely sweet leaves, which are used as a natural sugar substitute. It is generally considered safe for pets, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Candy LeafStevia rebaudianaSugarleafSweetleaf
Light
Full sun
Habit
Upright herbaceous perennial
Care
Moderate

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

The stevia plant is safe to keep around cats — the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic. A cat won't get much out of nibbling the leaves (cats can't taste sweetness), and the plant itself contains no toxic principles, though large amounts can cause mild osmotic diarrhea.

Sources: ASPCA.

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 matter may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

The plant is non-toxic. If your cat consumes a large quantity and shows signs of distress, contact your veterinarian to rule out physical obstruction or irritation.

Bring it home

Steviais 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

Stevia is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Stevia rebaudiana is a tender perennial herb in the Asteraceae family, valued for its sweet leaves.

Cats & dogs pagedogs page

Same cat verdict

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