Cats safety

Is Chives Safe for Cats?

Quick answer

ASPCA lists chives (Allium schoenoprasum) as toxic to cats. It identifies N-propyl disulfide and reports vomiting, red-blood-cell breakdown, blood in urine, weakness, elevated heart rate, and panting. Keep cats from chewing the plant and contact a veterinarian promptly after ingestion.

Chives houseplant

Is Chives safe for cats?

Toxic(moderate)

ASPCA lists chives (Allium schoenoprasum) as toxic to cats. It identifies N-propyl disulfide and reports vomiting, red-blood-cell breakdown, blood in urine, weakness, elevated heart rate, and panting. Keep cats from chewing the plant and contact a veterinarian promptly after ingestion.

Possible symptoms: vomiting, red-blood-cell breakdown, blood in urine, weakness, elevated heart rate, panting

Sources

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

Safer alternatives for cats

Frequently asked questions

Is Chives safe for cats?

ASPCA lists chives (Allium schoenoprasum) as toxic to cats. It identifies N-propyl disulfide and reports vomiting, red-blood-cell breakdown, blood in urine, weakness, elevated heart rate, and panting. Keep cats from chewing the plant and contact a veterinarian promptly after ingestion.

What should I do if my cats ate Chives?

Remove any remaining plant material, note how much was eaten, and contact your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately. Watch for: vomiting, red-blood-cell breakdown, blood in urine, weakness, elevated heart rate, panting.

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 Chives profile is reviewed?

Editorial policyReview board

Written by · Reviewed by LeafyPixels Review Board

This Chives plant profile was researched and written by . Care facts, watering ranges, light needs, and pet-safety notes for Chives 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 (n.d.) Chives toxicity classification and reported signs for cats. [Online]. Available at: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/chives (Accessed: 1 March 2024).