Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My cat ate a pothos. Is it toxic? What do I do without a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 7 lbs

My cat bit off half a small leaf of a golden pothos plant. I heard they are very toxic to cats, but that cats can recover. He is newly adopted so I don't have a vet yet, and I don't know how to go about getting him one. What should I do?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

Veterinarian

Published on June 30th, 2020

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center. Pothos plant can cause significant irritation to the mouth, esophagus and stomach. If Mooch has just eaten the leaf (in the last 30-60 min), you should rinse his mouth with water or offer him plenty of water to drink. If he is asymptomatic, you should monitor him at home. If he does not develop any worrying symptoms in the next 2-3hrs, it will mean that is fine.
However, if you notice that Mooch is drooling, vomiting or finds it difficult to eat, you should take him to your local vets right away

42Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 30th, 2019
Chewing or biting into this plant will release oxalate crystals causing tissue penetration and irritation of the mouth and GI tract. VERY rarely, swelling of the upper airway occurs making it difficult to breathe. The symptoms should start almost immediately after chewing/ingesting so if she hasn't shown any symptoms yet then she is probably OK. These are the symptoms to watch for:

Drooling
Pawing at the mouth
Oral pain
Decreased appetite
Vomiting

If you notice any of these then get her to the vet for an exam. Usually toxicity from this plant is mild to moderate and does not cause death. I would not be overly worried.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on June 20th, 2022
Pothos can be very irritating tot he mouth and GI tract. It doesn't appear that much of the leaf is missing. Monitor for drooling, redness in and around the mouth, difficulty eating, loss of appetite, lethargy or abdominal pain. These are all symptoms that should be addressed by your veterinarian. Typically, symptoms appear within minutes of ingestion or chewing. As long as she is not showing symptoms, she should be fine.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My dog chewed a pothos plant. Is it toxic? What should I do?

The Pothos plant (Devils' Iv) is listed on the ASPCA website as being poisonous to dogs. It can cause the following clinical symptoms: Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing. I would recommend contacting the poison hotline to discuss more details concerning Charlie and what treatments are recommended for him to ensure his safety moving forward. Their website and phone number are below: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/devils-ivy (888) 426-4435 I hope that your pet Charlie will be ok! Best wises and take care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My cat is throwing up after chewing a philodendron. Is it toxic?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be due to ingesting the plant as sometimes this causes vomiting. Sometimes it can result in inflammation of the mouth. Unfortunately, Bella really needs to see a veterinarian to at least be examined and treated symptomatically. That many episodes of vomiting can result in severe dehydration which is quite serious. I highly recommend you consider taking her to a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Best of luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat ate a philodendron plant. Is it toxic? Should I be concerned?

At worst, you may see some oral irritation, drooling or stomach upset. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals which are very irritating. If you've seen no symptoms, they are likely not affected. If it happens again, rinse the mouth with cool water for 10-15 minutes and offer a bland diet in small, frequent amounts until any symptoms resolve.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat ate a houseplant. Is it toxic? Should I give my cat milk?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Tigger. If this is a corn plant (Cornstalk dracaena), here is the information about this plant- In cats: dilated pupils, breathing difficulty, abdominal pain, increased heartrate and drooling. In both cats and dogs: vomiting, depression, inappetence, drooling, incoordination, and weakness. Don't ever give milk to adult cats or dogs. They cannot break down the sugar in milk (lactose) and can develop vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, intestinal cramping, etc. They are essentially lactose intolerant once they grow up. If Tigger develops any of the signs listed above, call your vet immediately. Good luck

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat chewed a corn plant. Is it toxic? What symptoms to watch for?

Corn plants contain saponins which are toxic to cats. Signs of toxicity include vomiting ( occasionally with blood), anorexia, depression, hypersalivation, & dilated pupils. If your cat shows any signs of these in the next several hours, than please call your vet immediately. In the meantime, please remove this plant from your home. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My cat ate an Easter lily. Is it toxic? What should I do immediately?

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Poor Louie! Unfortunately, EVERY part of the Lily is very toxic and deadly to cats. It causes acute kidney failure. Time is of the essence and I urge you to take Louie to an open Veterinary Emergency hospital for care. It is not wise to wait until tomorrow because sadly it could be too late to reverse the damage to his kidneys. You could also call the Pet Poison hotline (there is a charge) but they will tell you the same thing. http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/ I hope this helps and I wish Louie the best! https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-common-plants-that-are-poisonous-to-pets/

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat chewed a plant and threw up. What plant is it? Is it toxic?

That looks like a Philodendron and it is toxic to cats and dogs. It is not life threatening. This plant contains tiny little crystals in the leaves called Calcium oxalate crystals. When the keaves are chewed, the plant can cause drooling, mouth pain, inappetance, vomiting and pawing at the mouth. Sometimes swelling of the oral tissue can occur. It is best to keep this plant out of the reach of your cats. If that is not possible, remove it from the house.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share