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My kitten bit a ficus leaf. He's throwing up and lethargic. What to do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Oriental | Male | unneutered | 3 months and 20 days old | 4 lbs

Our 3-4 month old oriental bit a ficus elastica leaf last night around 10 pm. He didn't eat any but there was a puncture mark in the leaf. We monitored him for 2 hours afterward and he seemed fine, no vomit in his room when we woke up this morning but after breakfast he did throw up but then ate more and has been fine for the last half hour. He seems a bit more lathargic than normal. Is this something we should monitor?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on September 10th, 2018

The majority of the drooling and vomiting symptoms in pets that chew on ficus are related to the irritating effects of the plant's sap. I would expect the symptoms to be present at the start and go away once the sap is cleared. I would recommend that you continue to monitor Atticus for continued vomiting, lethargy, or poor appetite. If they continue through today, he should see a vet. It is unlikely related to the ficus, but I worry about a potential GI obstruction if he ate anything else.
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