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Is Mexican Tortoise Plant toxic to cats?

Dioscorea mexicana

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists mexican tortoise 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. Dioscorea mexicana is not individually listed by ASPCA. Like other members of the genus, the caudex contains saponins and steroidal compounds (including diosgenin, used pharmaceutically) that can cause gastrointestinal irritation if ingested raw by pets or humans. Keep away from pets and children.

What to do if your cat ate mexican tortoise plant

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

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

Is mexican tortoise plant toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is mexican tortoise plant toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists mexican tortoise 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. Dioscorea mexicana is not individually listed by ASPCA. Like other members of the genus, the caudex contains saponins and steroidal compounds (including diosgenin, used pharmaceutically) that can cause gastrointestinal irritation if ingested raw by pets or humans. Keep away from pets and children.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats mexican tortoise plant?

Dioscorea mexicana is not individually listed by ASPCA. Like other members of the genus, the caudex contains saponins and steroidal compounds (including diosgenin, used pharmaceutically) that can cause gastrointestinal irritation if ingested raw by pets or humans. Keep away from 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 mexican tortoise plant.

What should I do if my cat ate mexican tortoise 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 mexican tortoise plant toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Mexican Tortoise Plant is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full mexican tortoise plant pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to mexican tortoise 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 mexican tortoise plant pet-safety