Lovage
Levisticum officinale · Apiaceae
How it looks
Lovage is a carrot-family herb distinguished by its thick stems and large, divided, feather-like leaves. Rubbing the leaves gives off a strong celery-like scent. Small yellow flowers cluster in an umbrella shape. It grows 3-7 ft (1-2 m) tall.
Caution — monitor for GI symptoms
All parts of Lovage contain irritating compounds that can cause vomiting if chewed. Most cats recover on their own, but as a caution-level plant it still calls for monitoring.
Guide for parents
An occasional nibble on Lovage rarely leads to serious trouble, but its furocoumarins and essential oils can irritate the stomach and mucous membranes, causing mild gastrointestinal upset. Make a habit of clearing away fallen leaves and broken stems the same day, and keep the pot somewhere your cat can't reach. If symptoms last more than 12 hours or your cat shows a marked loss of appetite, consult your vet.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Photosensitization, vomiting
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
Details
- Scientific name
- Levisticum officinale
- Common name
- Lovage
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Toxic parts
- All parts
- Compounds
- Furocoumarins, Essential oils
- Onset
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Photosensitization, vomiting
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
- Source
- ASPCA
