Pet safety
Is Johnny Jump Up toxic to cats?
Viola tricolor
Mildly. The ASPCA lists johnny jump up 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. The ASPCA lists Viola tricolor as toxic to dogs and cats, with the plant containing saponins that may cause mild vomiting, diarrhoea, or skin irritation if ingested in quantity. Toxicity is low, but consumption should be discouraged.
What to do if your cat ate johnny jump up
- Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move johnny jump up out of reach.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
- Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice.
- Bring a leaf or photo of johnny jump up to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.
General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten johnny jump up, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Is johnny jump up toxic to cats? — FAQ
Is johnny jump up toxic to cats?
Mildly. The ASPCA lists johnny jump up 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. The ASPCA lists Viola tricolor as toxic to dogs and cats, with the plant containing saponins that may cause mild vomiting, diarrhoea, or skin irritation if ingested in quantity. Toxicity is low, but consumption should be discouraged.
What are the symptoms if a cat eats johnny jump up?
The ASPCA lists Viola tricolor as toxic to dogs and cats, with the plant containing saponins that may cause mild vomiting, diarrhoea, or skin irritation if ingested in quantity. Toxicity is low, but consumption should be discouraged. 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 johnny jump up.
What should I do if my cat ate johnny jump up?
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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.
Is johnny jump up toxic to dogs too?
The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Johnny Jump Up is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full johnny jump up pet-safety guide for both species.
What is a cat-safe alternative to johnny jump up?
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.
Type any plant to see what the ASPCA says about it and your cat.
Full johnny jump up pet-safety
- Is wild pansy toxic to cats? — the species this cultivar belongs to, checked separately
- Is johnny jump up toxic to cats and dogs? — the full guide for both pets
- Is johnny jump up toxic to dogs?
- My cat ate johnny jump up — emergency steps
- Best cats-safe plants — the full ASPCA non-toxic list
- Complete johnny jump up care guide
- Best plant app for pet owners — which apps actually flag ASPCA toxicity before you buy the plant
Writing about plant safety? Embed our free pet-toxicity checker on your site — ASPCA-grounded verdicts for 11,000+ plants, no sign-up.