Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Wine Palm toxic to cats?

Caryota urens

Toxic to cats

Yes — wine palm 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. The fresh fruit mesocarp and sap of Caryota urens contain dense concentrations of calcium oxalate raphide crystals. Contact or ingestion causes immediate intense burning and irritation of the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract in dogs and cats, with symptoms including drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. ASPCA classifies Caryota species as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Handlers should wear gloves; fruit juice contact with skin causes a severe contact dermatitis.

What to do if your cat ate wine palm

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

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

Is wine palm toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is wine palm toxic to cats?

Yes — wine palm is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. The fresh fruit mesocarp and sap of Caryota urens contain dense concentrations of calcium oxalate raphide crystals. Contact or ingestion causes immediate intense burning and irritation of the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract in dogs and cats, with symptoms including drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. ASPCA classifies Caryota species as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Handlers should wear gloves; fruit juice contact with skin causes a severe contact dermatitis.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats wine palm?

The fresh fruit mesocarp and sap of Caryota urens contain dense concentrations of calcium oxalate raphide crystals. Contact or ingestion causes immediate intense burning and irritation of the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract in dogs and cats, with symptoms including drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. ASPCA classifies Caryota species as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Handlers should wear gloves; fruit juice contact with skin causes a severe contact dermatitis. 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 wine palm.

What should I do if my cat ate wine palm?

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 wine palm toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Wine Palm is toxic to dogs as well. See the full wine palm pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to wine palm?

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 wine palm pet-safety