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Is Lacquered Pepper Plant toxic to cats?

Piper magnificum

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists lacquered pepper 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. Piper magnificum is not individually listed by ASPCA. As with other ornamental Piper species, piperine-related compounds may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation if ingested by cats or dogs. Keep out of reach of pets as a precaution.

What to do if your cat ate lacquered pepper plant

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

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

Is lacquered pepper plant toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is lacquered pepper plant toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists lacquered pepper 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. Piper magnificum is not individually listed by ASPCA. As with other ornamental Piper species, piperine-related compounds may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation if ingested by cats or dogs. Keep out of reach of pets as a precaution.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats lacquered pepper plant?

Piper magnificum is not individually listed by ASPCA. As with other ornamental Piper species, piperine-related compounds may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation if ingested by cats or dogs. Keep out of reach of pets as a precaution. 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 lacquered pepper plant.

What should I do if my cat ate lacquered pepper 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 lacquered pepper plant toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Lacquered Pepper Plant is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full lacquered pepper plant pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to lacquered pepper 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 lacquered pepper plant pet-safety