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Is Wood's Cycad toxic to cats?

Encephalartos woodii

Toxic to cats

Yes — wood's cycad 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. Toxic to cats and dogs. All cycads (order Cycadales, including Encephalartos) contain cycasin, mirroring the ASPCA's classification of the sago palm (Cycas) as toxic. Ingestion causes vomiting, diarrhoea, severe liver failure and neurological signs; seeds are the most poisonous part. Treat any ingestion as a veterinary emergency.

What to do if your cat ate wood's cycad

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

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

Is wood's cycad toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is wood's cycad toxic to cats?

Yes — wood's cycad is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. Toxic to cats and dogs. All cycads (order Cycadales, including Encephalartos) contain cycasin, mirroring the ASPCA's classification of the sago palm (Cycas) as toxic. Ingestion causes vomiting, diarrhoea, severe liver failure and neurological signs; seeds are the most poisonous part. Treat any ingestion as a veterinary emergency.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats wood's cycad?

Toxic to cats and dogs. All cycads (order Cycadales, including Encephalartos) contain cycasin, mirroring the ASPCA's classification of the sago palm (Cycas) as toxic. Ingestion causes vomiting, diarrhoea, severe liver failure and neurological signs; seeds are the most poisonous part. Treat any ingestion as a veterinary emergency. 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 wood's cycad.

What should I do if my cat ate wood's cycad?

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 wood's cycad toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Wood's Cycad is toxic to dogs as well. See the full wood's cycad pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to wood's cycad?

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 wood's cycad pet-safety