Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Elephant's Foot Pachypodium toxic to cats?

Pachypodium rosulatum

Toxic to cats

Yes — elephant's foot pachypodium 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. Pachypodium rosulatum (Apocynaceae) contains toxic compounds including cardiac glycoside-type cardenolides. Ingestion by pets or humans can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and cardiac effects. The ASPCA identifies related Apocynaceae genera (e.g. Adenium) as causing serious cardiac toxicity. Keep away from pets and children.

What to do if your cat ate elephant's foot pachypodium

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

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

Is elephant's foot pachypodium toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is elephant's foot pachypodium toxic to cats?

Yes — elephant's foot pachypodium is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. Pachypodium rosulatum (Apocynaceae) contains toxic compounds including cardiac glycoside-type cardenolides. Ingestion by pets or humans can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and cardiac effects. The ASPCA identifies related Apocynaceae genera (e.g. Adenium) as causing serious cardiac toxicity. Keep away from pets and children.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats elephant's foot pachypodium?

Pachypodium rosulatum (Apocynaceae) contains toxic compounds including cardiac glycoside-type cardenolides. Ingestion by pets or humans can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and cardiac effects. The ASPCA identifies related Apocynaceae genera (e.g. Adenium) as causing serious cardiac toxicity. Keep away from pets and 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 elephant's foot pachypodium.

What should I do if my cat ate elephant's foot pachypodium?

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 elephant's foot pachypodium toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Elephant's Foot Pachypodium is toxic to dogs as well. See the full elephant's foot pachypodium pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to elephant's foot pachypodium?

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 elephant's foot pachypodium pet-safety