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Is Hosta 'Sum and Substance' toxic to cats?

Hosta 'Sum and Substance'

Toxic to cats

Yes — hosta 'sum and substance' is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA lists Hosta (Plantain Lily) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The toxic principles are saponins; ingestion typically causes vomiting, diarrhoea and depression. Keep pets from grazing the foliage.

What to do if your cat ate hosta 'sum and substance'

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

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

Is hosta 'sum and substance' toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is hosta 'sum and substance' toxic to cats?

Yes — hosta 'sum and substance' is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. ASPCA lists Hosta (Plantain Lily) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The toxic principles are saponins; ingestion typically causes vomiting, diarrhoea and depression. Keep pets from grazing the foliage.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats hosta 'sum and substance'?

ASPCA lists Hosta (Plantain Lily) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The toxic principles are saponins; ingestion typically causes vomiting, diarrhoea and depression. Keep pets from grazing the foliage. 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 hosta 'sum and substance'.

What should I do if my cat ate hosta 'sum and substance'?

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 hosta 'sum and substance' toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Hosta 'Sum and Substance' is toxic to dogs as well. See the full hosta 'sum and substance' pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to hosta 'sum and substance'?

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 hosta 'sum and substance' pet-safety