Is Creeping Jenny Toxic to Cats? Can it be Grown in a Pet-Friendly Yard?

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Is Creeping Jenny toxic to cats? Creeping Jenny is a commonly grown groundcover that’s sometimes considered to be a weed. It’s mildly toxic to cats and can cause stomach upset.

While this plant can be toxic to cats and dogs if eaten in large enough amounts, the consensus seems to be that Creeping Jenny isn’t considered poisonous. The plant can be mildly toxic to cats and cause an upset stomach. However, care should still be taken when growing this plant around felines.

This article will answer the question, ‘is Creeping Jenny toxic to cats in more detail. We’ll also look at other plants that should be avoided if you want to make your garden and home animal friendly.

What is Creeping Jenny?

Creeping Jenny has the botanical name Lysimachia nummularia. It’s a common garden plant that’s native to Europe and Asia. You may also know the plant as moneywort.

The plant has small yellow flowers and is often grown as a ground cover across the world. As the name suggests, it has a creeping growth habit and will fill areas in your yard. Creeping Jenny is part of the primrose (Primulaceae) family.

Is Creeping Jenny toxic to cats?

With Creeping Jenny, in particular, the plant is mildly toxic to felines if ingested in large quantities and can cause vomiting or diarrhea if eaten. The plant is not considered poisonous as it won’t cause organ failure or death.

While there is not a large body of research on Creeping Jenny’s toxicity to cats specifically, the consensus is that the plant has low toxicity to cats in general. The plant does contain saponins which can cause stomach upset.

If you suspect that your cat has ingested this plant, it’s essential to seek veterinary care immediately.

How to keep your cat safe

To be safe, it’s best to keep Creeping Jenny away from your cat as much as possible, especially if you have young kittens in the house that are more likely to ingest plants or flowers when no one is looking.

Creeping Jenny is considered an invasive species in some areas, so be aware that there could be some in your neighborhood, and keep an eye on your cat’s health if he has been out roaming free.

Other toxic plants

Other types of plants can be far more dangerous for cats, such as lily or foxglove, which can cause kidney failure and death in cats. These plants should be removed from your home and yard before you bring your new cat or kitten home.

Cats are well-known for their meticulous grooming habits, which means that any poisonous plants in the vicinity of a cat may be ingested as part of their daily routine. Lilies are considered highly toxic as the pollen can fall onto a cat’s fur.

Generally speaking, toxic plants affect cats differently depending on the type and quantity of poison present in them. For example, some common toxic plants for cats are daffodils, tulips, foxglove, and peace lilies.

Is Creeping Charlie Toxic to Plants

Creeping Charlie is a plant that’s similar in growth habits to the Creeping Jenny. However, it’s part of the Lamiaceae or mint family and shouldn’t be confused with Creeping Jenny.

Creeping Charlie has purple flowers and is often referred to as alehoof, cat’s foot, ground ivy, field balm, run away robin, or Swedish ivy. Its botanical name is Pilea nummulariifolia.

According to the ASPCA, Creeping Charlie is non-toxic to animals, including cats, dogs, and horses.

Is Creeping Jenny toxic to cats: Final thoughts

Creeping jenny is only considered mildly toxic if ingested in large enough amounts. Young kittens are more prone than adult cats to consume plants and flowers from the garden, so it’s best to keep Creeping Jenny away from your pet whenever possible.

If you have a lot of plants in your home and garden, it’s best to check the toxicity levels of each to ensure you’re not unnecessarily putting your pet’s health at risk.

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