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Pet safety

Is Cat's Claw Vine toxic to cats?

Macfadyena unguis-cati

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cat's claw vine 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. Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) is not individually listed by ASPCA with a specific toxic principle. No severe systemic toxicity is well-documented, but as with many vigorous tropical climbers, ingestion by pets or children is not recommended. Treat as mildly toxic and keep out of reach of animals and young children.

What to do if your cat ate cat's claw vine

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

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

Is cat's claw vine toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is cat's claw vine toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists cat's claw vine 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. Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) is not individually listed by ASPCA with a specific toxic principle. No severe systemic toxicity is well-documented, but as with many vigorous tropical climbers, ingestion by pets or children is not recommended. Treat as mildly toxic and keep out of reach of animals and young children.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats cat's claw vine?

Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) is not individually listed by ASPCA with a specific toxic principle. No severe systemic toxicity is well-documented, but as with many vigorous tropical climbers, ingestion by pets or children is not recommended. Treat as mildly toxic and keep out of reach of animals and young children. 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 cat's claw vine.

What should I do if my cat ate cat's claw vine?

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 cat's claw vine toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Cat's Claw Vine is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full cat's claw vine pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to cat's claw vine?

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 cat's claw vine pet-safety