Pet safety
Is Old Father Live Forever toxic to cats?
Pelargonium cotyledonis
Yes — old father live forever is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA lists Pelargonium spp. as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to geraniol and linalool. Symptoms include vomiting, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis. As a Pelargonium species, P. cotyledonis carries the same risk as the rest of the genus.
What to do if your cat ate old father live forever
- Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move old father live forever out of reach.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
- Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
- Bring a leaf or photo of old father live forever to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.
General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten old father live forever, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Is old father live forever toxic to cats? — FAQ
Is old father live forever toxic to cats?
Yes — old father live forever is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. ASPCA lists Pelargonium spp. as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to geraniol and linalool. Symptoms include vomiting, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis. As a Pelargonium species, P. cotyledonis carries the same risk as the rest of the genus.
What are the symptoms if a cat eats old father live forever?
ASPCA lists Pelargonium spp. as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to geraniol and linalool. Symptoms include vomiting, anorexia, depression, and dermatitis. As a Pelargonium species, P. cotyledonis carries the same risk as the rest of the genus. 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 old father live forever.
What should I do if my cat ate old father live forever?
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 old father live forever toxic to dogs too?
The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Old Father Live Forever is toxic to dogs as well. See the full old father live forever pet-safety guide for both species.
What is a cat-safe alternative to old father live forever?
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 old father live forever pet-safety
- Is old father live forever toxic to cats and dogs? — the full guide for both pets
- Is old father live forever toxic to dogs?
- My cat ate old father live forever — emergency steps
- Best cats-safe plants — the full ASPCA non-toxic list
- Complete old father live forever care guide