Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Nel's Tongue Plant toxic to cats?

Glottiphyllum nelii

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists nel's tongue plant 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. Glottiphyllum nelii is not individually listed by the ASPCA as toxic or non-toxic. As there is no confirmed safety data for this genus, it should be treated with caution and kept out of reach of pets and children.

What to do if your cat ate nel's tongue plant

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

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

Is nel's tongue plant toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is nel's tongue plant toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists nel's tongue plant 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. Glottiphyllum nelii is not individually listed by the ASPCA as toxic or non-toxic. As there is no confirmed safety data for this genus, it should be treated with caution and kept out of reach of pets and children.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats nel's tongue plant?

Glottiphyllum nelii is not individually listed by the ASPCA as toxic or non-toxic. As there is no confirmed safety data for this genus, it should be treated with caution and kept out of reach of 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 nel's tongue plant.

What should I do if my cat ate nel's tongue plant?

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 nel's tongue plant toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Nel's Tongue Plant is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full nel's tongue plant pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to nel's tongue plant?

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 nel's tongue plant pet-safety