Are Pothos and Philodendron Toxic to Cats?

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Pothos and philodendron are some of the most common houseplants in the world, thanks to their trailing vines and ability to survive almost anything. Unfortunately, they are also among the most common plants that send cats to the vet. They are not usually deadly, but the effect on a cat's mouth is painful enough to deserve respect.

What makes them toxic

Both plants contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, microscopic needle-shaped structures stored in the leaves and stems. When a cat bites into a leaf, the crystals are released and embed in the soft tissue of the mouth, tongue and throat. The result is immediate burning pain, swelling and drooling, similar to a mouthful of tiny splinters.

The same type of crystal is found in peace lilies, dieffenbachia, monstera, ZZ plants and many other common houseplants. The group is often called "the oxalate plants," and the effects are broadly the same across the family.

Signs to watch for

Symptoms usually start within minutes of chewing:

• Drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Pawing at the face or shaking the head
• Lip smacking or retching
• Vomiting
• Refusing food or water because it hurts
• Swelling of the lips, tongue or face
• Hoarse meow or difficulty swallowing in more severe cases

The most dangerous complication is swelling that affects the throat. This is rare, but trouble breathing, noisy breathing or blue-tinged gums is an emergency.

What to do

1. Remove the plant and wipe any pieces from your cat's mouth with a damp cloth.
2. Offer a small amount of water or a lick of wet food to help rinse the crystals, if your cat is willing.
3. Call your veterinarian or a poison helpline. They can judge urgency based on your cat's signs and how much was eaten. If you cannot reach your own vet, our US vet directory can help you find emergency care.
4. Do not give human pain relievers. Common medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen and acetaminophen can be deadly to cats.
5. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to, because the crystals can cause more damage on the way back up.

Vets may treat with anti-nausea medication, pain relief and fluids. Most cats feel better within a day.

Why cats chew these plants

Pothos and philodendron have long, dangling vines that move when a draft or a paw touches them, which makes them irresistible to a bored cat. Cats may also chew plants to get fiber, to relieve a stomach upset or just to explore. If your cat chews plants regularly, it is worth asking whether it needs more stimulation. Ideas for helping an indoor cat stay busy are in our indoor cat enrichment guide.

Keeping both cats and plants

You have a few options:

• Replace the plant. The easiest solution is swapping to a safe alternative. Spider plants, Boston ferns and calatheas have a similar trailing or leafy look. See our list of cat-safe houseplants.
• Move it out of reach. A room that the cat cannot enter is more reliable than a high shelf, because cats can jump higher than most people expect.
• Offer a better chew. A pot of fresh cat grass is a classic solution.
• Prune and monitor. If you keep the plant, trim any trailing vines and watch your cat's behavior around it.

How to tell pothos, philodendron and monstera apart

Gardeners often confuse the three, and the confusion matters little for safety because all three carry oxalate crystals. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) has heart-shaped, waxy leaves that are often marbled with yellow or white, and the leaf stalk is rounded. Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) has softer, thinner heart-shaped leaves that taper to a point and are usually solid green, and it produces small pinkish bud sheaths at the nodes. Monstera deliciosa is much larger, with splits and holes in mature leaves, and Monstera adansonii has smaller leaves with oval holes. If you cannot tell which you own, treat it as toxic.

What recovery looks like

After a bite, most cats stop drooling within an hour or two, but the mouth may stay sore for a day. Offer soft, moist food that does not need much chewing, such as a smooth wet food, and make sure your cat is drinking. If your cat refuses all food for more than a day, keeps pawing at its mouth, or you notice blisters, ulcers or swollen lips, schedule a vet visit. Cats should not go more than a day or two without eating, because prolonged fasting can lead to a serious liver condition.

When it is not the plant

Drooling and pawing at the face are not specific to plants. Dental disease, a foreign object stuck between the teeth, mouth burns from chewing cables and some viral infections can look similar. If you did not see your cat chew a plant, or symptoms keep coming back, a veterinary exam is the right next step. Our cat health guides cover other causes of mouth problems.

Other plants in the same group

If you have pothos or philodendron, check what else in your home belongs to the oxalate group. Dieffenbachia, peace lily, monstera and ZZ plant are common, and our guide to toxic houseplants for cats covers them along with the plants that cause more serious problems, such as lilies.

You can look up many common plants and foods quickly with the free cat food and plant safety checker. If your cat eats a plant you cannot identify, call a vet or poison helpline and describe the plant, how much was eaten and when.