Is Rough-leaved Cape Mallow toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists rough-leaved cape mallow 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. Anisodontea scabrosa is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database; no toxic compounds have been documented in the genus, and horticultural sources generally regard it as non-harmful to pets, but the mildly-toxic classification is used here in the absence of a formal ASPCA non-toxic verification.

Anisodontea scabrosa is not listed in the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database; no toxic compounds have been documented in the genus, and horticultural sources generally regard it as non-harmful to pets, but the mildly-toxic classification is used here in the absence of a formal ASPCA non-toxic verification. 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 rough-leaved cape mallow.

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.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Rough-leaved Cape Mallow is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full rough-leaved cape mallow pet-safety guide for both species.

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.