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Pet safety

Is Chinese Yam toxic to cats?

Dioscorea polystachya

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists chinese yam 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. Dioscorea polystachya is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The raw tuber skin and plant juice contain needle-like calcium oxalate raphides that can cause itching, mouth and skin irritation, drooling, and gastrointestinal upset on contact or if chewed by a pet. Treat with caution and verify with a vet; do not assume it is pet-safe.

What to do if your cat ate chinese yam

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

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

Is chinese yam toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is chinese yam toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists chinese yam 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. Dioscorea polystachya is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The raw tuber skin and plant juice contain needle-like calcium oxalate raphides that can cause itching, mouth and skin irritation, drooling, and gastrointestinal upset on contact or if chewed by a pet. Treat with caution and verify with a vet; do not assume it is pet-safe.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats chinese yam?

Dioscorea polystachya is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The raw tuber skin and plant juice contain needle-like calcium oxalate raphides that can cause itching, mouth and skin irritation, drooling, and gastrointestinal upset on contact or if chewed by a pet. Treat with caution and verify with a vet; do not assume it is pet-safe. 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 chinese yam.

What should I do if my cat ate chinese yam?

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 chinese yam toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to chinese yam?

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 chinese yam pet-safety