Pet safety
Is Hikuri toxic to cats?
Lophophora diffusa
Yes — hikuri 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. Treat as toxic to pets. Lophophora diffusa is not individually listed by the ASPCA, and although it contains mainly the sedative alkaloid pellotine with only trace mescaline, these psychoactive alkaloids make ingestion unsafe; cats or dogs that eat it may show vomiting, sedation, disorientation, or other neurological signs. Keep away from pets and verify with a vet if eaten.
What to do if your cat ate hikuri
- Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move hikuri out of reach.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
- Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice.
- Bring a leaf or photo of hikuri to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.
General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten hikuri, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Is hikuri toxic to cats? — FAQ
Is hikuri toxic to cats?
Yes — hikuri is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. Treat as toxic to pets. Lophophora diffusa is not individually listed by the ASPCA, and although it contains mainly the sedative alkaloid pellotine with only trace mescaline, these psychoactive alkaloids make ingestion unsafe; cats or dogs that eat it may show vomiting, sedation, disorientation, or other neurological signs. Keep away from pets and verify with a vet if eaten.
What are the symptoms if a cat eats hikuri?
Treat as toxic to pets. Lophophora diffusa is not individually listed by the ASPCA, and although it contains mainly the sedative alkaloid pellotine with only trace mescaline, these psychoactive alkaloids make ingestion unsafe; cats or dogs that eat it may show vomiting, sedation, disorientation, or other neurological signs. Keep away from pets and verify with a vet if eaten. 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 hikuri.
What should I do if my cat ate hikuri?
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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.
Is hikuri toxic to dogs too?
The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Hikuri is toxic to dogs as well. See the full hikuri pet-safety guide for both species.
What is a cat-safe alternative to hikuri?
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.
Type any plant to see what the ASPCA says about it and your cat.
Full hikuri pet-safety
- Is hikuri toxic to cats and dogs? — the full guide for both pets
- Is hikuri toxic to dogs?
- My cat ate hikuri — emergency steps
- Best cats-safe plants — the full ASPCA non-toxic list
- Complete hikuri care guide
- Best plant app for pet owners — which apps actually flag ASPCA toxicity before you buy the plant
Writing about plant safety? Embed our free pet-toxicity checker on your site — ASPCA-grounded verdicts for 11,000+ plants, no sign-up.