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Is Red Prayer Plant toxic to cats?

Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists red prayer 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. Red Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura) is a prayer plant (family Marantaceae). It is not individually listed in the ASPCA database, and the ASPCA 'Prayer Plant' entry is filed under the related Calathea (Goeppertia), a different genus, so true Maranta/Ctenanthe is not ASPCA-confirmed. It has no known toxic compounds and is generally kept safely around pets, but treat it as mildly toxic and check with your vet to be sure.

What to do if your cat ate red prayer plant

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

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

Is red prayer plant toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is red prayer plant toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists red prayer 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. Red Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura) is a prayer plant (family Marantaceae). It is not individually listed in the ASPCA database, and the ASPCA 'Prayer Plant' entry is filed under the related Calathea (Goeppertia), a different genus, so true Maranta/Ctenanthe is not ASPCA-confirmed. It has no known toxic compounds and is generally kept safely around pets, but treat it as mildly toxic and check with your vet to be sure.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats red prayer plant?

Red Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura) is a prayer plant (family Marantaceae). It is not individually listed in the ASPCA database, and the ASPCA 'Prayer Plant' entry is filed under the related Calathea (Goeppertia), a different genus, so true Maranta/Ctenanthe is not ASPCA-confirmed. It has no known toxic compounds and is generally kept safely around pets, but treat it as mildly toxic and check with your vet to be sure. 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 red prayer plant.

What should I do if my cat ate red prayer 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 red prayer plant toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Red Prayer Plant is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full red prayer plant pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to red prayer 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 red prayer plant pet-safety