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Pet safety

Is Old Man of the Andes toxic to cats?

Oreocereus celsianus

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists old man of the andes 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. Not individually listed by the ASPCA. The true cacti the ASPCA does list are classed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, so Oreocereus celsianus is very unlikely to be chemically poisonous. The genuine hazard is mechanical — stout spines hide beneath the soft white hair and can injure pets, and ingested fibre may cause vomiting. Treat with caution and verify with a vet if your pet ingests it.

What to do if your cat ate old man of the andes

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

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

Is old man of the andes toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is old man of the andes toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists old man of the andes 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. Not individually listed by the ASPCA. The true cacti the ASPCA does list are classed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, so Oreocereus celsianus is very unlikely to be chemically poisonous. The genuine hazard is mechanical — stout spines hide beneath the soft white hair and can injure pets, and ingested fibre may cause vomiting. Treat with caution and verify with a vet if your pet ingests it.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats old man of the andes?

Not individually listed by the ASPCA. The true cacti the ASPCA does list are classed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, so Oreocereus celsianus is very unlikely to be chemically poisonous. The genuine hazard is mechanical — stout spines hide beneath the soft white hair and can injure pets, and ingested fibre may cause vomiting. Treat with caution and verify with a vet if your pet ingests it. 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 man of the andes.

What should I do if my cat ate old man of the andes?

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 man of the andes toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Old Man of the Andes is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full old man of the andes pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to old man of the andes?

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 man of the andes pet-safety