Plant safety for cats
Is jasmine (मोगरा / जूही / चमेली) safe for cats?
SafeListed non-toxic to cats by ASPCA
Yes — true jasmines (mogra, juhi, chameli) are safe for cats: ASPCA lists the whole Jasminum genus non-toxic. Watch the name though: 'Cape jasmine', 'lady-of-the-night' and Carolina jessamine are different plants.
Why safe: Listed non-toxic to cats by ASPCA.
- Name
- Jasminealso Mogra, Juhi, Chameli, Arabian jasmine
- Hindi
- मोगरा / जूही / चमेली · mogra / juhi / chameli
- Botanical name
- Jasminum sambac, J. auriculatum, J. grandiflorum (true jasmines) · Oleaceae
- Other Indian names
- Bengaliবেলি ফুল (beli phul)
- Kannadaಸೂಜಿಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ (sujimallige)
- Gujaratiમોગરો (mogro)
How to recognise it
- A climbing or bushy shrub with glossy leaves
- Small, white, intensely fragrant flowers — often double in mogra
Look-alikes and name traps
Jasmine-named, not jasmine: gardenia ('Cape jasmine') is mildly toxic; brunfelsia ('lady-of-the-night') causes seizures; Carolina or yellow jessamine (Gelsemium) is dangerous; raat ki rani hasn't been assessed. Check the botanical name on the nursery tag.
What to do
Listed non-toxic — no poisoning is expected.
- Any plant eaten in quantity can still cause a little vomiting or diarrhoea; call your vet if it keeps going.
- Pesticide or fertiliser on nursery plants is a separate risk: rinse new plants and keep fertiliser sticks out of the pot.
Where Indian cats meet it
Gajra and veni hair flowers, puja and wedding garlands, and balcony pots. Star jasmine (Trachelospermum) is non-toxic too.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: Jasmine
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: Star jasmine
- NC State Plant Toolbox: Gelsemium (human data) (human toxicity data)
- Hindi Wikipedia: मोगरा (Hindi name)
Facts last checked
General information for cat parents, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. The facts come from ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, International Cat Care, the Merck Veterinary Manual and the other sources listed on every page — and we say so when the evidence comes from dogs or people. If your cat may have eaten something harmful, call your vet.
