Geranium
Also known as Pelargonium, Scented Geranium, Ivy Geranium. One plant, one grade per pet — the verdicts below are transcribed from primary sources and human-reviewed.
Geranium (Pelargonium) is an irritant to cats (S2 Irritant): its geraniol and linalool can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, and skin irritation — signs Pet Poison Helpline describes as usually mild and temporary.
FULL VERDICT →Geranium (Pelargonium) is an irritant to dogs (S2 Irritant): its geraniol and linalool can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, and skin irritation — signs Pet Poison Helpline describes as usually mild and temporary.
FULL VERDICT →Care at a glance
What happens if it's eaten
Signs on record for each animal, transcribed from the cited sources.
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- anorexia (decreased appetite)
- depression / lethargy
- dermatitis (skin irritation on contact)
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- anorexia (decreased appetite)
- depression / lethargy
- dermatitis (skin irritation on contact)
When to call the vet
Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea persists or worsens, your cat stops eating, or a skin reaction spreads.
FULL VERDICT →Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea persists or worsens, your dog stops eating, or a skin reaction spreads.
FULL VERDICT →Safe swaps, graded S0
Non-toxic on record for cats — verified against the index at build time.
FAQ
Do scented geraniums and ivy geraniums count as the same plant?
Yes — on the record we transcribe, they fall under the same verdict. Pet Poison Helpline's geranium entry is for Pelargonium and lists "Scented geranium, Ivy geranium" as alternate names; the ASPCA entry covers Pelargonium species with "Many cultivars." The toxic principles are the same across them: geraniol and linalool, which the ASPCA associates with "Vomiting, anorexia, depression, dermatitis." Pet Poison Helpline adds that "Symptoms are usually mild and temporary." If your cat has chewed any of them, move the plant out of reach and watch for vomiting, loss of appetite, low energy, or irritated skin; call your vet if signs persist or worsen.