Tarragon

What it does to a cat.

Yes — tarragon is toxic to cats. The ASPCA lists it as poisonous to cats, dogs, and horses due to essential oils. The good news: tarragon toxicity is mild. Ingestion usually causes only mild vomiting and diarrhea, which resolve within 24 hours.

ASPCA Data

According to the ASPCA:

Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses. Toxic Principles: Essential Oils. Clinical Signs: Mild vomiting and diarrhea.

Tarragon is popular as a kitchen herb, grown on sunny windowsills and in herb gardens. If you have a cat and grow tarragon, the risk is real but moderate.

How Essential Oils Work

Tarragon (particularly French tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus) contains volatile essential oils that irritate the digestive tract:

1. Digestive irritation — Essential oils trigger mild inflammation in the stomach and intestines
2. Nausea & vomiting — Within hours, a cat may vomit after eating tarragon leaves
3. Diarrhea — GI upset may cause loose stools or diarrhea
4. Self-resolution — Symptoms are usually mild and pass within 24 hours without treatment

The toxicity is not severe — deaths are not documented, and serious complications are rare. However, any vomiting or diarrhea warrants veterinary attention if it persists.

What to Do If Your Cat Eats It

Monitor and contact your vet if symptoms persist.

1. Remove the plant from reach immediately
2. Offer fresh water — Dehydration from diarrhea is the main concern
3. Watch for vomiting or diarrhea — These are expected and usually brief
4. Contact your vet if — Vomiting persists beyond 24 hours, cat appears lethargic, or symptoms worsen
5. Do not induce vomiting — The upset will pass on its own

Most cases resolve without treatment, but call your vet if you are concerned about the size of ingestion or if symptoms don't improve.

Safe Culinary Herbs Instead

If you want to grow herbs on your kitchen windowsill without toxin risk:

• Basil — Fine leafy culinary herb, identical growing conditions to tarragon, completely safe for cats
• Oregano — Aromatic herb, ASPCA verified non-toxic
• Mint — Fragrant and safe (most mint varieties; verify species with your vet if unsure)

All three are as easy to grow as tarragon and offer the same culinary appeal without the essential oil hazard.

The Bottom Line

Tarragon is a culinary staple but a mild toxin to cats. If you grow it, keep it on a high shelf or behind a closed door — or choose a cat-safe herb instead. Ingestion usually causes mild, self-limiting GI upset.

All parts of the plant — leaves, stems, flowers — contain essential oils. Even a small nibble can cause symptoms, though large ingestions are more likely to trigger noticeable vomiting or diarrhea.