Is Corn Cockle Toxic to Cats?
Also known as: Purple Cockle, Corn Campion, Poison Iris · Agrostemma githago
What makes it toxic
Saponins including githagin and agrostemmic acid, present in all plant parts and heavily concentrated in the seed capsules. They irritate and can damage gut lining, and large doses are neurotoxic.
Warning signs to watch for
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain within hours of chewing leaves or especially seed heads; heavier ingestions may add tremors, weakness and incoordination.
What to do if your cat eats it
Remove the plant, offer water and call your vet, especially if seed capsules were eaten. Repeated vomiting or any wobbliness moves the case from watch-and-wait to prompt treatment.
Common questions
Why does corn cockle appear in wildflower mixes?
Its showy pink-purple flowers made it a popular heritage meadow plant, which is exactly why seed packets should be checked — many mixes historically included it.
Is every part of the plant poisonous?
Yes, the whole plant carries saponins, but the seeds hold by far the highest concentration, so a cat eating seed heads is the worst-case exposure.
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.