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If your cat ate yellow horned poppy — 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.

Yellow Horned Poppy is toxic to cats (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My cat ate Yellow Horned Poppy — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take yellow horned poppy 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 yellow horned poppy — FAQ

Is yellow horned poppy poisonous to cats?

Yes — the ASPCA lists Yellow Horned Poppy (Glaucium flavum) as toxic to cats. All parts of Glaucium flavum contain isoquinoline alkaloids, principally glaucine, which is toxic to cats and dogs. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea), central nervous system depression, sedation, and ataxia. The milky sap also irritates skin and mucous membranes. Contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) or a vet immediately if a pet has ingested any part of this plant.

How serious is it if my cat ate yellow horned poppy?

Yellow Horned Poppy 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. All parts of Glaucium flavum contain isoquinoline alkaloids, principally glaucine, which is toxic to cats and dogs. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea), central nervous system depression, sedation, and ataxia. The milky sap also irritates skin and mucous membranes. Contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) or a vet immediately if a pet has ingested any part of this plant. 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 yellow horned poppy well out of reach, or swap it for an ASPCA non-toxic plant — see the best cats-safe plants list.

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