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Pet safety

Is Cape Mallow toxic to cats?

Anisodontea capensis

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cape mallow 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. Anisodontea capensis is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database; the genus has no documented toxic principles, and multiple horticultural sources consider it safe for pets, but the mildly-toxic classification is applied here because it lacks a formal ASPCA non-toxic listing.

What to do if your cat ate cape mallow

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move cape mallow 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 cape mallow to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is cape mallow toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is cape mallow toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cape mallow 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. Anisodontea capensis is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database; the genus has no documented toxic principles, and multiple horticultural sources consider it safe for pets, but the mildly-toxic classification is applied here because it lacks a formal ASPCA non-toxic listing.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats cape mallow?

Anisodontea capensis is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database; the genus has no documented toxic principles, and multiple horticultural sources consider it safe for pets, but the mildly-toxic classification is applied here because it lacks a formal ASPCA non-toxic listing. 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 cape mallow.

What should I do if my cat ate cape mallow?

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 cape mallow toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to cape mallow?

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 cape mallow pet-safety