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Pet safety

Is Yucca toxic to cats?

Yucca elephantipes

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists yucca 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. ASPCA lists Yucca as toxic to cats, dogs and horses due to steroidal saponins. Symptoms include vomiting and drooling. Leaf tips are also physically sharp on some varieties.

What to do if your cat ate yucca

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

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

Is yucca toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is yucca toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists yucca 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. ASPCA lists Yucca as toxic to cats, dogs and horses due to steroidal saponins. Symptoms include vomiting and drooling. Leaf tips are also physically sharp on some varieties.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats yucca?

ASPCA lists Yucca as toxic to cats, dogs and horses due to steroidal saponins. Symptoms include vomiting and drooling. Leaf tips are also physically sharp on some varieties. 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 yucca.

What should I do if my cat ate yucca?

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 yucca toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to yucca?

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 yucca pet-safety