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Pet safety

Is Cobra Lily toxic to cats?

Arisaema sikokianum

Toxic to cats

Yes — cobra lily is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. Not individually listed by the ASPCA, but as a member of genus Arisaema — whose jack-in-the-pulpit (A. triphyllum) is ASPCA-listed as toxic — it contains insoluble calcium oxalate raphides in corm, foliage and berries. Chewing causes oral burning, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing in cats and dogs. Treat as toxic and keep berries and corms from pets.

What to do if your cat ate cobra lily

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

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

Is cobra lily toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is cobra lily toxic to cats?

Yes — cobra lily is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. Not individually listed by the ASPCA, but as a member of genus Arisaema — whose jack-in-the-pulpit (A. triphyllum) is ASPCA-listed as toxic — it contains insoluble calcium oxalate raphides in corm, foliage and berries. Chewing causes oral burning, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing in cats and dogs. Treat as toxic and keep berries and corms from pets.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats cobra lily?

Not individually listed by the ASPCA, but as a member of genus Arisaema — whose jack-in-the-pulpit (A. triphyllum) is ASPCA-listed as toxic — it contains insoluble calcium oxalate raphides in corm, foliage and berries. Chewing causes oral burning, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing in cats and dogs. Treat as toxic and keep berries and corms from pets. 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 cobra lily.

What should I do if my cat ate cobra lily?

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 cobra lily toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Cobra Lily is toxic to dogs as well. See the full cobra lily pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to cobra lily?

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 cobra lily pet-safety