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If your cat ate mother of thousands — 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.

Mother of thousands is toxic to cats (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My cat ate Mother of thousands — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take mother of thousands 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 mother of thousands — FAQ

Is mother of thousands poisonous to cats?

Yes — the ASPCA lists Mother of thousands (Kalanchoe daigremontiana) as toxic to cats. The ASPCA lists Kalanchoe (the genus that includes Kalanchoe daigremontiana) as Toxic to Dogs and Toxic to Cats. The toxic principles are bufadienolides, cardiac-glycoside compounds found throughout the plant that act on the heart in a way similar to digitalis. Reported clinical signs are vomiting and diarrhoea, with abnormal heart rhythm in rare cases; the Pet Poison Helpline warns that larger ingestions can cause changes in heart rate and rhythm, weakness and collapse. This species is especially risky because it constantly sheds tiny plantlets that fall to the floor where curious pets and children can eat them. Keep well out of reach and contact a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK) if ingestion is suspected. The ASPCA does not separately list horses for Kalanchoe, so livestock owners should verify with a vet.

How serious is it if my cat ate mother of thousands?

Mother of thousands is toxic to cats and reactions can be significant, so treat any ingestion as urgent. Call your vet, or (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK, 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. The ASPCA lists Kalanchoe (the genus that includes Kalanchoe daigremontiana) as Toxic to Dogs and Toxic to Cats. The toxic principles are bufadienolides, cardiac-glycoside compounds found throughout the plant that act on the heart in a way similar to digitalis. Reported clinical signs are vomiting and diarrhoea, with abnormal heart rhythm in rare cases; the Pet Poison Helpline warns that larger ingestions can cause changes in heart rate and rhythm, weakness and collapse. This species is especially risky because it constantly sheds tiny plantlets that fall to the floor where curious pets and children can eat them. Keep well out of reach and contact a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK) if ingestion is suspected. The ASPCA does not separately list horses for Kalanchoe, so livestock owners should verify with a vet. 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 mother of thousands 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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