Cats safety

Is Calendula Safe for Cats?

Quick answer

NC State Extension tags Calendula officinalis as non-toxic to cats. ASPCA cautions that eating any plant material can still cause stomach upset, so discourage chewing and keep treated plants out of reach.

Calendula houseplant

Is Calendula safe for cats?

Safe

NC State Extension tags Calendula officinalis as non-toxic to cats. ASPCA cautions that eating any plant material can still cause stomach upset, so discourage chewing and keep treated plants out of reach.

Sources

Disclaimer: This page is for general information only and is not veterinary advice. If your cats ate Calendula, contact your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.

Frequently asked questions

Is Calendula safe for cats?

NC State Extension tags Calendula officinalis as non-toxic to cats. ASPCA cautions that eating any plant material can still cause stomach upset, so discourage chewing and keep treated plants out of reach.

What should I do if my cats ate Calendula?

Remove any remaining plant material, note how much was eaten, and contact your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.

What are safer plant alternatives for cats?

Browse our verified list of plants safe for cats at /best-plants/plants-safe-for-cats/. Popular picks include spider plant, Boston fern, and areca palm for cat and dog households.

How this Calendula profile is reviewed?

Editorial policyReview board

Written by · Reviewed by LeafyPixels Review Board

This Calendula plant profile was researched and written by . Care facts, watering ranges, light needs, and pet-safety notes for Calendula are checked against multiple independent references before publication.

We prioritize sources that hold up under scrutiny:

  • University cooperative extension bulletins and fact sheets (Penn State, Clemson, UMD, NC State, and similar programs)
  • Botanical garden and horticultural society publications
  • Peer-reviewed plant science and veterinary toxicology references where pet safety matters (including ASPCA Animal Poison Control)
  • Established reference works on indoor plant culture

The LeafyPixels editorial team then reviews the draft for clarity, step-by-step usefulness, and fit with real apartment and home conditions-not ideal greenhouse setups. When guidance changes materially, we update the page and note the revision date.

Sources used

  1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Calendula lookup (n.d.) The current lookup returned no Calendula entry; no ASPCA category was inferred. [Online]. Available at: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/calendula (Accessed: 1 March 2024).
  2. NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Calendula officinalis (n.d.) Species-specific non-toxic-for-cats tag and plant identity. [Online]. Available at: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/calendula-officinalis/ (Accessed: 1 March 2024).