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Pet safety

Is Telephone Pea toxic to cats?

Pisum sativum 'Alderman'

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists telephone pea 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. Pisum sativum is not individually listed by the ASPCA; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The cooked edible seeds are a common, safe pet-food ingredient, but the raw plant (vines, leaves, pods) can cause mild GI upset, and it is easily confused with the ornamental sweet pea (Lathyrus), which the ASPCA flags as toxic. Keep pets from grazing the foliage.

What to do if your cat ate telephone pea

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

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

Is telephone pea toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is telephone pea toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists telephone pea 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. Pisum sativum is not individually listed by the ASPCA; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The cooked edible seeds are a common, safe pet-food ingredient, but the raw plant (vines, leaves, pods) can cause mild GI upset, and it is easily confused with the ornamental sweet pea (Lathyrus), which the ASPCA flags as toxic. Keep pets from grazing the foliage.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats telephone pea?

Pisum sativum is not individually listed by the ASPCA; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The cooked edible seeds are a common, safe pet-food ingredient, but the raw plant (vines, leaves, pods) can cause mild GI upset, and it is easily confused with the ornamental sweet pea (Lathyrus), which the ASPCA flags as toxic. 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 telephone pea.

What should I do if my cat ate telephone pea?

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 telephone pea toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to telephone pea?

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 telephone pea pet-safety