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If your cat ate climbing onion — 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 or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 now.

Climbing Onion is toxic to cats (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My cat ate Climbing Onion — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take climbing onion 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 the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) and 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.

My cat ate climbing onion — FAQ

Is climbing onion poisonous to cats?

Yes — the ASPCA lists Climbing Onion (Bowiea volubilis) as toxic to cats. Bowiea volubilis is toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. The bulb contains cardiac glycosides (bufadienolides) and other alkaloids that can cause severe gastrointestinal upset, cardiac arrhythmias, and in large doses may be life-threatening. ASPCA lists the closely related Bowiea genus as toxic. Keep strictly away from pets and children and wash hands after handling.

How serious is it if my cat ate climbing onion?

Climbing Onion is toxic to cats and reactions can be significant, so treat any ingestion as urgent. Call your vet or poison control on (888) 426-4435 straight away rather than waiting to see if symptoms develop.

What symptoms should I watch for?

Signs usually appear soon after chewing: drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy. Bowiea volubilis is toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. The bulb contains cardiac glycosides (bufadienolides) and other alkaloids that can cause severe gastrointestinal upset, cardiac arrhythmias, and in large doses may be life-threatening. ASPCA lists the closely related Bowiea genus as toxic. Keep strictly away from pets and children and wash hands after handling. 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 the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center specifically tells you to. The wrong action can make things worse. Call (888) 426-4435 and follow professional advice.

How do I stop this happening again?

Keep climbing onion well out of reach, or swap it for an ASPCA non-toxic plant — see the best cats-safe plants list.

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