Pothos (Devil's Ivy)
ToxicVerdict
Toxic — calcium oxalate crystals cause oral and GI irritation.
If your cat ate this
Cats hide symptoms — don't wait and see. Even small amounts of certain substances can be fatal to a cat. Act fast.
- 1. Call your veterinarian immediately
- US — National hotline: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 aspca.org(24/7, Consultation fee may apply.)
- US — National hotline: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 petpoisonhelpline.com(24/7, $89 per incident fee; also covers Canada.)
- GB — National hotline: Animal PoisonLine 01202 509 000 animalpoisonline.co.uk(24/7, £35 per call (8am–8pm weekdays), £45 at other times.)
- AU — National hotline: Animal Poisons Helpline 1300 869 738 animalpoisons.com.au(24/7)
- NZ — National hotline: Animal Poisons Helpline 0800 869 738 poisons.co.nz(11am–7pm NZ time (currently being extended), Charges apply.)
- CA — National hotline: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 petpoisonhelpline.com(24/7, $89 per incident fee.)
Verified 2026-08-06
Verdict
Pothos contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that penetrate oral tissues on contact, causing intense pain, swelling, and drooling. This is a very common houseplant. While rarely fatal, the oral pain and swelling can be severe. Cats may chew on trailing vines.
Symptoms to watch for
- • intense oral pain
- • excessive drooling
- • swelling of mouth and tongue
- • vomiting
- • difficulty swallowing
What to do
Rinse your cat's mouth with water. Offer cold treats (ice cubes, wet food) to soothe irritation. Contact your vet if swelling is severe or breathing is affected. Move pothos plants out of reach.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 aspca.org
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