Is Pothos (Devil’s Ivy) Toxic to Cats?

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  • Is pothos toxic to cats?

    Pothos is toxic to cats, the toxic property is insoluble calcium oxalate crystals which are formed by specialized cells called crystal idioblasts. Raphides are bundles of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals which penetrate the oral mucosa and throat causing intense pain and swelling.

    What is pothos?

    Family: Araceae
    Botanical name: Epipremnum aureum
    Common names: Pothos, Golden pothos, Devil’s ivy, Taro vine, Ceylon creeper, Ivy arum, Money plant, Hunter’s robe
    Toxicity: Toxic to cats
    Toxic parts: All parts are toxic
    Severity: Mild to moderate
    Toxic properties: Insoluble calcium oxalates

    Native to native to Mo’orea in the Society Islands of French Polynesia, but naturalised in India, China, Japan, Australia, and Indonesia, pothos is an evergreen vine that is popular as a houseplant for its beautiful heart-shaped leaves and easy maintenance.

    There are ten species of pothos which include golden pothos, neon pothos, jade pothos, marble queen pothos, Manjula pothos, pearls and jade pothos, glacier pothos, Cebu blue pothos, Hawaiian pothos and jessenia pothos.

    Clinical signs

    As the cat chews the plant, crystals penetrate the oral mucosa and throat, which causes intense pain. In most cases, immediate pain will result in the cessation of chewing.

    • Intense oral pain
    • Drooling
    • Pawing at the mouth
    • Decreased appetite
    • Vomiting
    • Edema (swelling) of the mouth, tongue and lips
    • Difficulty swallowing
    • Difficulty breathing due to inflammation and swelling (rare)

    First aid

    Remove any remaining plant material from the mouth and flush with milk, canned tuna or chicken broth.

    Call the veterinarian or a pet poison helpline for ongoing advice, you may be asked to monitor the cat or bring it in for treatment. This will be based on symptoms, comorbidities and the amount of plant ingested.

    If the cat is experiencing breathing difficulty, seek immediate veterinary care.

    Treatment

    Treatment for pothos ingestion is symptomatic as there is no antidote. Most cats will experience short-lived symptoms and will not require medical care beyond flushing the mouth. Cats who have experienced prolonged vomiting may require fluid therapy to treat dehydration and manage electrolyte imbalances.

    If the cat is experiencing breathing difficulty, seek immediate veterinary care.

    Prevention

    Pothos can be grown in a hanging basket, out of reach of cats, however, the best way to prevent toxicity is to avoid bringing toxic plants or flowers into the house. While cats are generally more discriminating than dogs, they are unable to determine if a plant is toxic or not and may consume the wrong plant. There is a higher incidence in kittens, due to their curious nature.

    Related: Plants non-toxic to cats

    Author

    • Julia Wilson, 'Cat World' Founder

      Julia Wilson is the founder of Cat-World, and has researched and written over 1,000 articles about cats. She is a cat expert with over 20 years of experience writing about a wide range of cat topics, with a special interest in cat health, welfare and preventative care. Julia lives in Sydney with her family, four cats and two dogs. Full author bio