Is Wood Nettle Toxic to Cats?
Also known as: Canada Wood Nettle, Laportea canadensis · Laportea canadensis
What makes it toxic
Hollow stinging hairs tipped with irritants including acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin and formic acid. Chewing or brushing injects them into skin and mucous membranes, producing an immediate chemical sting rather than a systemic poisoning.
Warning signs to watch for
Drooling, pawing at the mouth, whining, oral redness and mild vomiting shortly after chewing; skin contact leaves stinging, blotchy welts.
What to do if your cat eats it
Rinse the mouth and any affected skin with cool water and offer food or water to dilute the irritation. The sting usually fades within hours; call the vet only if swallowing seems painful or vomiting persists.
Common questions
Is wood nettle the same as common stinging nettle?
It is a close woodland relative with the same stinging hairs, and the reaction is comparable — painful and frightening but short-lived and rarely dangerous.
When should the sting worry me?
If the mouth swelling affects breathing, or a cat that was stung inside the mouth stops eating for more than a day, a vet visit is warranted; otherwise home care usually suffices.
More plants checked for cats
This page is general educational information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every pet is different — if your animal ate something concerning, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. Checking what your pet can eat? Visit our sister site SafeOrToxic.