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Is Rooper's Red Hot Poker toxic to cats?

Kniphofia rooperi

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists rooper's red hot poker 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. Kniphofia rooperi is not individually listed by the ASPCA. As with the broader Kniphofia genus, the plant may cause mild gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting) if ingested by dogs or cats. The conservative verdict is mildly-toxic; keep pets away from this plant.

What to do if your cat ate rooper's red hot poker

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move rooper's red hot poker 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 rooper's red hot poker to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is rooper's red hot poker toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is rooper's red hot poker toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists rooper's red hot poker 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. Kniphofia rooperi is not individually listed by the ASPCA. As with the broader Kniphofia genus, the plant may cause mild gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting) if ingested by dogs or cats. The conservative verdict is mildly-toxic; keep pets away from this plant.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats rooper's red hot poker?

Kniphofia rooperi is not individually listed by the ASPCA. As with the broader Kniphofia genus, the plant may cause mild gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting) if ingested by dogs or cats. The conservative verdict is mildly-toxic; keep pets away from this 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 rooper's red hot poker.

What should I do if my cat ate rooper's red hot poker?

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 rooper's red hot poker toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Rooper's Red Hot Poker is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full rooper's red hot poker pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to rooper's red hot poker?

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 rooper's red hot poker pet-safety