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Pet safety

Is Silk Floss Tree toxic to cats?

Ceiba speciosa

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists silk floss tree 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. Ceiba speciosa (Malvaceae, formerly Chorisia speciosa) is not individually listed by ASPCA. No significant toxic compounds are formally documented, but ingestion of seeds, floss, or foliage may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation in pets. The silky seed floss can be a physical hazard if ingested in quantity. Treat as mildly toxic as a precaution.

What to do if your cat ate silk floss tree

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

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

Is silk floss tree toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is silk floss tree toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists silk floss tree 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. Ceiba speciosa (Malvaceae, formerly Chorisia speciosa) is not individually listed by ASPCA. No significant toxic compounds are formally documented, but ingestion of seeds, floss, or foliage may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation in pets. The silky seed floss can be a physical hazard if ingested in quantity. Treat as mildly toxic as a precaution.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats silk floss tree?

Ceiba speciosa (Malvaceae, formerly Chorisia speciosa) is not individually listed by ASPCA. No significant toxic compounds are formally documented, but ingestion of seeds, floss, or foliage may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation in pets. The silky seed floss can be a physical hazard if ingested in quantity. Treat as mildly toxic as a precaution. 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 silk floss tree.

What should I do if my cat ate silk floss tree?

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 silk floss tree toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Silk Floss Tree is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full silk floss tree pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to silk floss tree?

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 silk floss tree pet-safety