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If your cat ate common pothos — 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.

Common Pothos is toxic to cats (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My cat ate Common Pothos — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take common pothos 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 common pothos — FAQ

Is common pothos poisonous to cats?

Yes — the ASPCA lists Common Pothos (Pothos scandens) as toxic to cats. Pothos scandens belongs to the Araceae family and contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals throughout. The ASPCA lists members of the related Epipremnum genus (commonly sold as pothos) as toxic to dogs and cats; the same hazard applies to true Pothos species, causing oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if ingested.

How serious is it if my cat ate common pothos?

Common Pothos 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. Pothos scandens belongs to the Araceae family and contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals throughout. The ASPCA lists members of the related Epipremnum genus (commonly sold as pothos) as toxic to dogs and cats; the same hazard applies to true Pothos species, causing oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if ingested. 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 common pothos well out of reach, or swap it for an ASPCA non-toxic plant — see the best cats-safe plants list.

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