My Cat Ate Pothos: Symptoms and What to Do
If your cat chewed pothos, it will probably drool, paw at its mouth and maybe vomit, then recover. Pothos contains sharp calcium oxalate crystals that sting the mouth and irritate the stomach. That stinging usually stops cats eating much, so serious poisoning is uncommon. Take the plant away, rinse your cat's mouth if you can, and watch it for a few hours.
Right now
- Remove the plant and any leaf pieces from your cat's mouth.
- Wipe the mouth with a damp cloth and offer water.
- Don't induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to.
Symptoms
- Drooling
- Pawing at the mouth
- Head shaking
- Vomiting
- Not eating
- Rarely, swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat
When to call a vet
Call your vet, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (both may charge a fee), if your cat has any trouble breathing or swallowing (urgent), keeps vomiting, or ate a lot.
Keep it from happening again
Hang pothos high or move it to a room your cat can't get into, and give your cat its own cat grass to chew. Planted can check your other plants from a photo and tell you which are toxic to pets. See also plants safe for cats and dogs.
Common questions
Is pothos poisonous to cats?
Yes, but usually mildly. It causes mouth irritation and stomach upset rather than life-threatening poisoning.
How long do pothos symptoms last in cats?
Usually a few hours to a day.
What if my cat ate a pothos leaf a few hours ago and seems fine?
That's common. Keep an eye on it, and call a vet if drooling, vomiting or appetite problems appear or continue.