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Pet safety

Is Bleeding heart vine toxic to cats?

Clerodendrum thomsoniae

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists bleeding heart 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. Clerodendrum is NOT listed in the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant database, so no clearance exists; the Pet Poison Helpline reports the genus as mildly toxic, causing gastrointestinal upset if eaten and contact dermatitis in cats, dogs, horses and birds. Treat as mildly toxic and keep away from pets. Note: this is NOT the toxic true bleeding heart (Dicentra), a completely different, unrelated plant.

What to do if your cat ate bleeding heart vine

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

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

Is bleeding heart vine toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is bleeding heart vine toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists bleeding heart 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. Clerodendrum is NOT listed in the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant database, so no clearance exists; the Pet Poison Helpline reports the genus as mildly toxic, causing gastrointestinal upset if eaten and contact dermatitis in cats, dogs, horses and birds. Treat as mildly toxic and keep away from pets. Note: this is NOT the toxic true bleeding heart (Dicentra), a completely different, unrelated plant.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats bleeding heart vine?

Clerodendrum is NOT listed in the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant database, so no clearance exists; the Pet Poison Helpline reports the genus as mildly toxic, causing gastrointestinal upset if eaten and contact dermatitis in cats, dogs, horses and birds. Treat as mildly toxic and keep away from pets. Note: this is NOT the toxic true bleeding heart (Dicentra), a completely different, unrelated plant. 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 bleeding heart vine.

What should I do if my cat ate bleeding heart 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 bleeding heart vine toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to bleeding heart 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 bleeding heart vine pet-safety