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If your cat ate painted lady sweet pea — 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.

Painted Lady sweet pea is toxic to cats (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My cat ate Painted Lady sweet pea — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take painted lady sweet pea 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 painted lady sweet pea — FAQ

Is painted lady sweet pea poisonous to cats?

Yes — the ASPCA lists Painted Lady sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus 'Painted Lady') as toxic to cats. Lathyrus odoratus 'Painted Lady', like all sweet pea cultivars, contains lathyrogenic aminonitriles concentrated in seeds and pods. The ASPCA lists Lathyrus odoratus as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Seeds and pods must be kept away from pets. The flowers and foliage pose minimal risk from casual contact, but ingestion — particularly of seeds — should be prevented.

How serious is it if my cat ate painted lady sweet pea?

Painted Lady sweet pea 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. Lathyrus odoratus 'Painted Lady', like all sweet pea cultivars, contains lathyrogenic aminonitriles concentrated in seeds and pods. The ASPCA lists Lathyrus odoratus as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Seeds and pods must be kept away from pets. The flowers and foliage pose minimal risk from casual contact, but ingestion — particularly of seeds — should be prevented. 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 painted lady sweet pea 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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