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Pet safety

Is Achimenes toxic to cats?

Achimenes longiflora

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists achimenes as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. Achimenes is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic/Non-Toxic Plants database. While it belongs to the gesneriad family (Gesneriaceae) alongside the ASPCA-confirmed non-toxic African violet, the genus itself is not specifically evaluated. Treat with caution as mildly toxic, keep pets from chewing it, and verify with a vet if ingestion is suspected.

What to do if your cat ate achimenes

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move achimenes out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of achimenes to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten achimenes, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is achimenes toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is achimenes toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists achimenes as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Achimenes is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic/Non-Toxic Plants database. While it belongs to the gesneriad family (Gesneriaceae) alongside the ASPCA-confirmed non-toxic African violet, the genus itself is not specifically evaluated. Treat with caution as mildly toxic, keep pets from chewing it, and verify with a vet if ingestion is suspected.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats achimenes?

Achimenes is not individually listed on the ASPCA Toxic/Non-Toxic Plants database. While it belongs to the gesneriad family (Gesneriaceae) alongside the ASPCA-confirmed non-toxic African violet, the genus itself is not specifically evaluated. Treat with caution as mildly toxic, keep pets from chewing it, and verify with a vet if ingestion is suspected. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to achimenes.

What should I do if my cat ate achimenes?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is achimenes toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Achimenes is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full achimenes pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to achimenes?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full achimenes pet-safety