Cats & Dogs
Generally safeConsulted 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.
Sources
Pet safety reference
Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majus
Nasturtium is a popular, fast-growing annual known for its edible, peppery-flavored flowers and rounded leaves. It is widely considered safe for household pets, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may occasionally cause mild digestive upset.
Garden NasturtiumIndian CressNasturtiumTropaeolum majus
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Habit
- Trailing or mounding
- Care
- Low
Safety status
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
Generally none; however, excessive consumption of fibrous plant matter may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.
Escalation note
This plant is considered non-toxic. If your cat consumes a large amount and shows persistent signs of discomfort, contact your veterinarian.
Dogs — concern notes
Common signs
Generally none; however, excessive consumption of fibrous plant matter may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.
Escalation note
This plant is considered non-toxic. If your dog consumes a large amount and shows persistent signs of discomfort, contact your veterinarian.
Bring it home
Nasturtiumis 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
Nasturtium is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
botanical · 94% reliability
Tropaeolum majus is a trailing annual with edible flowers and leaves, commonly grown in gardens and containers.
Questions about Nasturtium
Is nasturtium toxic to cats?
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is considered non-toxic to cats. It is classified as generally safe, with a confidence of 0.95 based on an ASPCA provenance audit from May 2026.
What happens if my cat eats nasturtium?
Most cats experience no symptoms at all. If your cat eats a large amount of the fibrous leaves or stems, mild vomiting or diarrhea is possible, but serious effects are not expected.
Should I be worried if my cat chewed on a nasturtium plant?
A small nibble is unlikely to cause any problem. Non-toxic does not mean harmless in quantity — if your cat consumed a significant amount and shows persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, contact your veterinarian.
Which parts of the nasturtium plant are safe around cats?
The entire plant — flowers, leaves, and stems — is considered non-toxic to cats. The peppery flavor may naturally deter most cats from eating much, but no part of the plant is known to be harmful.
Is nasturtium toxic to dogs?
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is considered non-toxic to dogs. It is generally safe if your dog nibbles on the flowers or leaves.
What happens if a dog eats nasturtium?
Most dogs will experience no symptoms at all. However, eating a large amount of the fibrous plant material may occasionally cause mild vomiting or diarrhea due to the bulk of plant matter, not any toxic compound.
How much nasturtium would make my dog sick?
Small amounts are unlikely to cause any problem. Persistent vomiting or diarrhea after a very large ingestion warrants a call to your veterinarian, though nasturtium is not considered toxic.
Does non-toxic mean nasturtium is safe for my dog to eat freely?
Non-toxic means nasturtium contains no known poisonous compounds for dogs, but that does not make it a suitable snack in large quantities — significant amounts of any fibrous plant material can cause GI upset. If your dog raids the garden bed and shows persistent discomfort, contact your vet.
Same safety verdict
Other plants with the same verdict
Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
Garden cosmos is a daisy-like annual usually treated as a pet-safe flowering option, though any large plant ingestion can still cause mild stomach upset.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Calathea
Calathea spp.
Calathea are popular tropical houseplants known for their striking, patterned foliage and rhythmic leaf movement. They are considered safe for households with pets, though ingestion of large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Dwarf Date Palm
Phoenix acaulis
The Dwarf Date Palm is a slow-growing, stemless palm species native to the grasslands of India. It is widely appreciated for its compact, architectural foliage that mimics the appearance of larger date palms in a miniature form.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Hanging Lobster Claw
Heliconia rostrata
Heliconia rostrata is a tropical perennial known for its dramatic, pendulous inflorescences. While generally considered non-toxic to pets, ingestion of any plant material can cause gastrointestinal upset.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Same growing conditions
Plants for the same room
Cinquefoil
Potentilla spp.
Cinquefoil is a diverse genus of flowering plants in the rose family, commonly found in gardens and wild meadows. While generally considered safe for pets, it is not intended for consumption.
Generally safe for cats & dogs.
Feather Geranium
Ambrosia mexicana
Feather Geranium is an herbaceous plant known for its aromatic, fern-like foliage. It is considered toxic to pets if ingested and should be kept out of reach of cats and dogs.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas
Sweet Potato Vine is a popular ornamental foliage plant known for its vibrant, trailing leaves. While generally considered safe for pets, it is best to prevent them from grazing on the foliage to avoid minor digestive discomfort.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.
Buttercup
Ranunculus spp.
Buttercups are flowering plants known for their bright, cup-shaped blooms, but they contain compounds that can cause irritation if ingested. They are generally considered toxic to household pets due to the presence of protoanemonin.
Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.