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If your cat ate spider orchid (brassia) — do this now

  1. Take the plant away and clear any pieces from their mouth.
  2. Do not induce vomiting unless told to by a professional.
  3. Call your vet now. If you cannot reach one, a poison-control line will triage you — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK. Both services charge a fee.

Spider Orchid (Brassia) is mildly toxic to cats (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My cat ate Spider Orchid (Brassia) — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take spider orchid (brassia) away and remove any plant material from your cat's mouth so they cannot eat more.
  2. Note roughly how much was eaten and when — this helps the vet judge the risk.
  3. Do NOT induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to.
  4. Call your vet, or a poison-control line — (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK. Both charge a consultation fee. Follow their advice.
  5. Watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or lethargy, and bring a leaf or photo to the appointment.

This is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide as well as the plant. When in doubt, call your vet — or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK.

My cat ate spider orchid (brassia) — FAQ

Is spider orchid (brassia) poisonous to cats?

Yes — Spider Orchid (Brassia) (Brassia spp.) is regarded as mildly toxic to cats, based on genus- and family-level toxicity data. Orchids in the family Orchidaceae are generally regarded as non-toxic, and the ASPCA individually lists the Phalaenopsis (moth) orchid as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. However, that listing is a different genus, and Brassia itself is not individually listed in the ASPCA database, so we take the conservative position and recommend verifying with your vet before allowing pets access. Note: a "Brassia actinophylla" appearing on toxic lists is an outdated synonym for the Schefflera/umbrella tree (family Araliaceae), a completely different plant, not the Brassia spider orchid.

How serious is it if my cat ate spider orchid (brassia)?

Spider Orchid (Brassia) is mildly toxic, so most cats get short-lived mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a life-threatening reaction. It is still worth a vet call to be safe, especially if your cat ate a lot or symptoms persist.

What symptoms should I watch for?

Signs usually appear soon after chewing: drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy. Orchids in the family Orchidaceae are generally regarded as non-toxic, and the ASPCA individually lists the Phalaenopsis (moth) orchid as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. However, that listing is a different genus, and Brassia itself is not individually listed in the ASPCA database, so we take the conservative position and recommend verifying with your vet before allowing pets access. Note: a "Brassia actinophylla" appearing on toxic lists is an outdated synonym for the Schefflera/umbrella tree (family Araliaceae), a completely different plant, not the Brassia spider orchid. Any worsening or persistent symptoms warrant an immediate vet visit.

Should I make my cat vomit?

No — do not induce vomiting unless a vet or a poison-control specialist specifically tells you to. The wrong action can make things worse. Call your vet, or (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK, and follow professional advice.

How do I stop this happening again?

Keep spider orchid (brassia) well out of reach, or swap it for an ASPCA non-toxic plant — see the best cats-safe plants list.

Type any plant to see what the ASPCA says about it and your cat.

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