Pet safety
Is Carnation of Indiatoxic to cats & dogs?
Ervatamia coronaria
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- Yes — toxic
- Toxic to dogs?
- Yes — toxic
- ASPCA classification
- Toxic to pets · botanical name Ervatamia coronaria
Is carnation of india safe for cats and dogs?
Toxic — the ASPCA lists carnation of india as a clear no for cats and dogs. The painful part for the pet is usually quick and intense; the right move is to keep it out of any room a pet roams unsupervised. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, the most widely used reference for companion-animal plant safety in the US and the standard most UK vets cite as well. Ervatamia coronaria (syn. Tabernaemontana) belongs to Apocynaceae, a family known for toxic indole alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. The milky white latex and all plant parts contain toxic alkaloids including tabersonine, coronaridine, and ibogaine-related compounds. Ingestion causes vomiting, cardiac arrhythmia, and potentially serious systemic toxicity in dogs and cats. The ASPCA does not individually list this species, but the family toxicity is well documented. Keep away from pets and children; contact a vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) if ingestion occurs.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes | Toxic to pets |
| Dogs | Yes | Toxic to pets |
What happens if a pet eats carnation of india?
Ervatamia coronaria (syn. Tabernaemontana) belongs to Apocynaceae, a family known for toxic indole alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. The milky white latex and all plant parts contain toxic alkaloids including tabersonine, coronaridine, and ibogaine-related compounds. Ingestion causes vomiting, cardiac arrhythmia, and potentially serious systemic toxicity in dogs and cats. The ASPCA does not individually list this species, but the family toxicity is well documented. Keep away from pets and children; contact a vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) if ingestion occurs. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to carnation of india, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate carnation of india
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move carnation of india out of reach.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
- Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
- Bring a leaf or photo of carnation of india to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.
This page is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide rather than the plant. If you are worried, always contact a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Pet-safe alternatives to carnation of india
Want the same look without the risk? These plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA and have similar care needs:
- Prayer plant — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Calathea — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Parlor palm — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Areca palm — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
Carnation of India and pets — frequently asked questions
Is carnation of india toxic to cats?
Carnation of India (Ervatamia coronaria) is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Ervatamia coronaria (syn. Tabernaemontana) belongs to Apocynaceae, a family known for toxic indole alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. The milky white latex and all plant parts contain toxic alkaloids including tabersonine, coronaridine, and ibogaine-related compounds. Ingestion causes vomiting, cardiac arrhythmia, and potentially serious systemic toxicity in dogs and cats. The ASPCA does not individually list this species, but the family toxicity is well documented. Keep away from pets and children; contact a vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) if ingestion occurs. Keep it out of reach and contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if your cat chews it.
Is carnation of india toxic to dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Carnation of India (Ervatamia coronaria) is toxic to dogs. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like carnation of india is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats carnation of india?
Ervatamia coronaria (syn. Tabernaemontana) belongs to Apocynaceae, a family known for toxic indole alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. The milky white latex and all plant parts contain toxic alkaloids including tabersonine, coronaridine, and ibogaine-related compounds. Ingestion causes vomiting, cardiac arrhythmia, and potentially serious systemic toxicity in dogs and cats. The ASPCA does not individually list this species, but the family toxicity is well documented. Keep away from pets and children; contact a vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) if ingestion occurs. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to carnation of india, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate carnation of india?
Stay calm. Remove any remaining plant material from your pet's mouth and take the plant away so they cannot eat more. Note roughly how much was eaten and when. Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice. Bringing a photo or a leaf of carnation of india to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to carnation of india?
If you want a similar look without the risk, good non-toxic swaps include prayer plant, calathea, parlor palm, areca palm. All of these are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, so they suit a home where pets have access to your plants.
Full carnation of india care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete carnation of india care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.