My Cat Ate a Pothos Plant What Should I Do?

Has your cat eaten a pothos plant? Are you worried the pothos will make your cat sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. It’s scary when our cats eat something they shouldn’t.

In this article, we’ve put together some information about the pothos and whether or not it can make your cat sick. Let’s get started!

What is a Pothos Plant?

A pothos plant is a popular houseplant found in many homes. You may hear it referred to as the golden pothos, devil’s ivy, taro vine, or ivy arum. These plants are extremely popular as houseplants because they’re easy to care for. The plants are even forgiving if you forget to water them occasionally.

The pothos plant vines out as it gets older, which makes it attractive for use in all types of décor. The vines are pretty and can be configured in different ways.

Sometimes cats are drawn to these and other houseplants. Some cats like to bat the leaves around, while others may try to nibble on the plant. No one is sure why kitties choose to eat the plant.

While these plants are beautiful in the home, are they safe to have around cats? Can a pothos make your cat sick?

Pothos Plants and Cats

Pothos plants are toxic to cats (and dogs) if eaten. Thankfully, the plant usually isn’t toxic enough to kill a cat.

Pothos contain something called insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. These are a form of self-defense for the plants. When eaten, the pothos can cause the following symptoms in cats.

Symptoms of Pothos Plant Ingestion in Cats

You may notice these symptoms if your cat has eaten part of a pothos plant:

• Eye irritation (if the chemicals from the plant end up on your cat’s paw, and she rubs her face)
• Mouth irritation
• Tongue swelling and/or irritation
• Foaming at the mouth/excessive drooling
• Trouble swallowing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Pawing at face/mouth/eyes

If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, then it’s time to call the vet immediately.

Treatment of Pothos Plants Ingestion in Cats

When you reach the vet’s, they will perform a complete physical on your cat. The vet may also order lab work and even images.

Treatment may include washing your cat’s affected body parts (paws, face, etc.) and washing out her mouth. If the leaf parts are found in her stomach, the vet may try to remove the pieces with an endoscopic procedure or gastric lavage. He will also treat the vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms she may be having.

In most cases, pothos plants are not toxic enough to cause death. However, they can make a cat feel very sick.

After your cat has been treated for pothos poisoning, she should go on to make a complete recovery. And we bet she will leave your pothos plants alone after this!