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Is Mother of Pearl poppy toxic to cats?

Papaver rhoeas 'Mother of Pearl'

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists mother of pearl poppy 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. Papaver rhoeas contains small amounts of isoquinoline alkaloids and rhoeadine. Ingestion of foliage or seed pods can cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats. The plant is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic plant database, but the Papaveraceae family has recognised mild toxicity; treat as mildly toxic and keep pets and children away from plants and seeds.

What to do if your cat ate mother of pearl poppy

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move mother of pearl poppy 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 mother of pearl poppy to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is mother of pearl poppy toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is mother of pearl poppy toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists mother of pearl poppy 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. Papaver rhoeas contains small amounts of isoquinoline alkaloids and rhoeadine. Ingestion of foliage or seed pods can cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats. The plant is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic plant database, but the Papaveraceae family has recognised mild toxicity; treat as mildly toxic and keep pets and children away from plants and seeds.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats mother of pearl poppy?

Papaver rhoeas contains small amounts of isoquinoline alkaloids and rhoeadine. Ingestion of foliage or seed pods can cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs and cats. The plant is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic plant database, but the Papaveraceae family has recognised mild toxicity; treat as mildly toxic and keep pets and children away from plants and seeds. 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 mother of pearl poppy.

What should I do if my cat ate mother of pearl poppy?

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 mother of pearl poppy toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Mother of Pearl poppy is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full mother of pearl poppy pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to mother of pearl poppy?

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 mother of pearl poppy pet-safety