It depends on which plant you mean. The ASPCA lists true jasmine (Jasminum species), Madagascar jasmine and star jasmine as non-toxic to dogs and cats, but lists cape jasmine (the gardenia) and Paraguayan jasmine (Brunfelsia) as toxic. “Jasmine” is a common name used for plants from different genera, so the label on the pot is not enough to know whether a plant is pet safe.
This page uses the ASPCA’s plant entries as its source and says where an entry could not be found. It covers live plants only, not essential oils or diffusers, which are a separate question.
What the ASPCA lists, plant by plant
| Common name | Botanical name on the ASPCA entry | Dogs and cats | Signs the ASPCA lists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jasmine | Jasminum species | Non-toxic | None listed |
| Madagascar jasmine | Stephanotis floribunda | Non-toxic | None listed |
| Star jasmine and Confederate jasmine | Trachelospermum jasminoides | Non-toxic | None listed |
| Cape jasmine (gardenia) | Gardenia jasminoides | Toxic | Mild vomiting and/or diarrhea, hives |
| Paraguayan jasmine (yesterday, today and tomorrow) | Brunfelsia species | Toxic | Tremors, seizures (for several days), diarrhea, vomiting, hypersalivation, lethargy, incoordination, coughing |
The ASPCA entry for jasmine is listed at genus level, as Jasminum species, with the family given as Oleaceae and no clinical signs. It does not name the individual species, so it does not separately mention jasmine sambac or jasmine polyanthum. For the species grown indoors on this site, see Jasminum Sambac Indoor Care and Jasminum Polyanthum Care.
The jasmines that are not toxic
The ASPCA lists Jasmine (Jasminum species) as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. It lists Madagascar Jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda) the same way, and both Star Jasmine and Confederate Jasmine, entered under Trachelospermum jasminoides, as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Star jasmine is a different plant from true jasmine, which is explained in Is Star Jasmine a Real Jasmine?, but the ASPCA gives it a non-toxic listing too.
The ASPCA also says the consumption of any plant material may cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset for dogs and cats. A non-toxic listing means the entry does not name a toxin, not that a pet can safely eat unlimited leaves or flowers.
The plants called jasmine that are toxic
Two are worth knowing by their other names. Cape Jasmine is the ASPCA’s entry for the gardenia, Gardenia jasminoides. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, names genioposide and gardenoside as the toxic principles, and lists mild vomiting and/or diarrhea and hives as signs. If you grow a gardenia indoors, the care guide is Gardenia Indoor Care.
Paraguayan Jasmine is the ASPCA’s entry for Brunfelsia species, also called yesterday, today and tomorrow and lady-of-the-night. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, names brunfelsamidine as the toxin, and lists tremors, seizures lasting for several days, diarrhea, vomiting, hypersalivation, lethargy, incoordination and coughing. This is the most serious of the jasmine-named plants in the ASPCA list read for this page.
Night-blooming jasmine: no ASPCA entry confirmed
Night-blooming jasmine is the common name for Cestrum nocturnum, covered on this site in Night Blooming Jasmine vs True Jasmine. I could not confirm an ASPCA entry for it, and I could not confirm one for Carolina jessamine either. Treat both as unconfirmed rather than safe, and check the ASPCA’s plant database or a veterinarian before keeping either around a pet. Do not assume a “jasmine” is safe because another plant with that name is.
How to check a plant before you buy it
- Find the botanical name on the tag or label, not just the common name.
- Search the ASPCA’s toxic and non-toxic plant database for that botanical name.
- If the common name is “jasmine”, note whether the botanical name starts with Jasminum, Stephanotis, Trachelospermum, Gardenia, Brunfelsia or Cestrum, because those genera appear in the table above or need separate checking.
- If you cannot find an entry, treat the plant as unconfirmed and ask a veterinarian.
What to do if a pet has chewed a jasmine-named plant
Note the botanical name and how much was eaten, and contact a veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. With the toxic plants above, signs such as repeated vomiting, tremors or seizures need prompt veterinary care.
Frequently asked questions
Is jasmine toxic to cats?
The ASPCA lists Jasminum species, Madagascar jasmine and star jasmine as non-toxic to cats. It lists cape jasmine (gardenia) and Paraguayan jasmine as toxic to cats.
Is jasmine toxic to dogs?
The ASPCA entries give the same listings for dogs as for cats: non-toxic for Jasminum, Madagascar jasmine and star jasmine, and toxic for cape jasmine and Paraguayan jasmine.
Is a gardenia a jasmine?
No, but the ASPCA lists it under the name cape jasmine. The gardenia, Gardenia jasminoides, is listed as toxic to dogs and cats.
Are jasmine essential oils safe for pets?
This page does not cover that. The sources read for it are the ASPCA’s entries for live plants.
Sources read for this page
Last reviewed 15 October 2026. Written by Md. Firozur Rahman. This page is general information, not veterinary advice; see the Disclaimer and contact a veterinarian about any pet health concern. For the rest of the jasmine guides, start from the Jasmine hub.
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