Pet safety
Is Red Passion Flowertoxic to cats & dogs?
Passiflora coccinea
Toxic
Quick verdict — at a glance
- Toxic to cats?
- Yes — toxic
- Toxic to dogs?
- Yes — toxic
- ASPCA classification
- Toxic to pets · botanical name Passiflora coccinea
Is red passion flower safe for cats and dogs?
Toxic — the ASPCA lists red passion flower 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. Passiflora coccinea, like other Passiflora species, is considered toxic to cats and dogs. The genus contains cyanogenic glycosides in vegetative parts, which can cause gastrointestinal upset, weakness, and in larger quantities more severe symptoms. The ASPCA lists Passiflora species as toxic to cats and dogs; keep all parts away from pets.
| Pet | Toxic? | Per ASPCA |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes | Toxic to pets |
| Dogs | Yes | Toxic to pets |
What happens if a pet eats red passion flower?
Passiflora coccinea, like other Passiflora species, is considered toxic to cats and dogs. The genus contains cyanogenic glycosides in vegetative parts, which can cause gastrointestinal upset, weakness, and in larger quantities more severe symptoms. The ASPCA lists Passiflora species as toxic to cats and dogs; keep all parts away from pets. 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 red passion flower, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What to do if your pet ate red passion flower
- Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move red passion flower 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 red passion flower 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 red passion flower
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:
- Hoya — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Bromeliad — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- Christmas cactus — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
- African violet — non-toxic to cats and dogs (care guide)
Red Passion Flower and pets — frequently asked questions
Is red passion flower toxic to cats?
Red Passion Flower (Passiflora coccinea) is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Passiflora coccinea, like other Passiflora species, is considered toxic to cats and dogs. The genus contains cyanogenic glycosides in vegetative parts, which can cause gastrointestinal upset, weakness, and in larger quantities more severe symptoms. The ASPCA lists Passiflora species as toxic to cats and dogs; keep all parts away from pets. 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 red passion flower toxic to dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Red Passion Flower (Passiflora coccinea) is toxic to dogs. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like red passion flower is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.
What happens if my pet eats red passion flower?
Passiflora coccinea, like other Passiflora species, is considered toxic to cats and dogs. The genus contains cyanogenic glycosides in vegetative parts, which can cause gastrointestinal upset, weakness, and in larger quantities more severe symptoms. The ASPCA lists Passiflora species as toxic to cats and dogs; keep all parts away from pets. 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 red passion flower, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.
What should I do if my cat or dog ate red passion flower?
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 red passion flower to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.
What are pet-safe alternatives to red passion flower?
If you want a similar look without the risk, good non-toxic swaps include hoya, bromeliad, christmas cactus, african violet. 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 red passion flower care
Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete red passion flower care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.