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Is Smelly Dorstenia toxic to cats?

Dorstenia foetida

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists smelly dorstenia 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. Dorstenia foetida is in the family Moraceae. The genus Dorstenia is not individually listed by ASPCA. Some Moraceae plants contain latex that can cause mild mucous-membrane irritation or gastrointestinal upset if ingested. Dorstenia foetida is not documented as seriously poisonous, but as its toxicity profile has not been fully characterised for companion animals, treat it as mildly toxic and keep it out of easy reach of pets and children. Wear gloves when handling freshly cut stems to avoid latex contact.

What to do if your cat ate smelly dorstenia

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

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

Is smelly dorstenia toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is smelly dorstenia toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists smelly dorstenia 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. Dorstenia foetida is in the family Moraceae. The genus Dorstenia is not individually listed by ASPCA. Some Moraceae plants contain latex that can cause mild mucous-membrane irritation or gastrointestinal upset if ingested. Dorstenia foetida is not documented as seriously poisonous, but as its toxicity profile has not been fully characterised for companion animals, treat it as mildly toxic and keep it out of easy reach of pets and children. Wear gloves when handling freshly cut stems to avoid latex contact.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats smelly dorstenia?

Dorstenia foetida is in the family Moraceae. The genus Dorstenia is not individually listed by ASPCA. Some Moraceae plants contain latex that can cause mild mucous-membrane irritation or gastrointestinal upset if ingested. Dorstenia foetida is not documented as seriously poisonous, but as its toxicity profile has not been fully characterised for companion animals, treat it as mildly toxic and keep it out of easy reach of pets and children. Wear gloves when handling freshly cut stems to avoid latex contact. 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 smelly dorstenia.

What should I do if my cat ate smelly dorstenia?

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 smelly dorstenia toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to smelly dorstenia?

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 smelly dorstenia pet-safety