Is Agave angustifolia toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists agave angustifolia 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. Agave angustifolia is not individually listed by the ASPCA; treat with caution and verify with a vet. As with other Agave species, veterinary poison-control sources document calcium oxalate crystals and saponins that cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting and dermal irritation from the sap, plus injury from the sharp terminal spine and leaf teeth.

Agave angustifolia is not individually listed by the ASPCA; treat with caution and verify with a vet. As with other Agave species, veterinary poison-control sources document calcium oxalate crystals and saponins that cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting and dermal irritation from the sap, plus injury from the sharp terminal spine and leaf teeth. 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 agave angustifolia.

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.

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

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.