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Pet safety

Is Sacahuista toxic to cats?

Nolina microcarpa

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists sacahuista 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. Nolina microcarpa is not individually listed by ASPCA for dogs or cats, and no curcin or calcium-oxalate toxins are reported in the genus. However, the foliage is documented to cause liver damage and rumen impaction in sheep and goats, and seeds caused neurological symptoms in rats and birds in toxicological studies. Keep away from grazing animals; treat as mildly toxic by caution until ASPCA formally evaluates the species.

What to do if your cat ate sacahuista

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

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

Is sacahuista toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is sacahuista toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists sacahuista 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. Nolina microcarpa is not individually listed by ASPCA for dogs or cats, and no curcin or calcium-oxalate toxins are reported in the genus. However, the foliage is documented to cause liver damage and rumen impaction in sheep and goats, and seeds caused neurological symptoms in rats and birds in toxicological studies. Keep away from grazing animals; treat as mildly toxic by caution until ASPCA formally evaluates the species.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats sacahuista?

Nolina microcarpa is not individually listed by ASPCA for dogs or cats, and no curcin or calcium-oxalate toxins are reported in the genus. However, the foliage is documented to cause liver damage and rumen impaction in sheep and goats, and seeds caused neurological symptoms in rats and birds in toxicological studies. Keep away from grazing animals; treat as mildly toxic by caution until ASPCA formally evaluates the species. 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 sacahuista.

What should I do if my cat ate sacahuista?

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 sacahuista toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Sacahuista is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full sacahuista pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to sacahuista?

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 sacahuista pet-safety