Last updated on October 14, 2026
Yes, pothos is toxic to cats. The ASPCA lists golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) as toxic to cats and dogs because it contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which cause mouth pain, heavy drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.
So is pothos toxic to cats in the way lilies are? No. It hurts far more than it poisons, and the serious cases are rare. Here is what to expect, when to call, and which of your other plants work the same way.
What happens if a cat eats pothos?
A cat that bites pothos usually drools, paws at its mouth, gags or vomits, and the signs start right away. Pet Poison Helpline says chewing releases microscopic crystals that irritate the lips, mouth and throat, and that in rare cases the throat swells enough to make breathing hard.
Merck’s Veterinary Manual describes the pain as immediate and intense as soon as any part of the plant is chewed. It adds that the mouth pain fades slowly on its own and that a whole-body reaction to these crystals hasn’t been reported.
That matches what owners see.
“hi, you’re okay. pothos is toxic to cats kind of in the way pineapple is toxic to us. it hurts and can cause drooling and discomfort, but in most cases, especially with such a small amount, your baby will be okay. keep an eye on her, and if she goes on a 24 hour+ hunger or water strike, has bathroom troubles, or shows other obvious signs of distress or illness, that’s when it’s vet time. most likely she will be totally okay within a day. [https://mcgeestreet.com/blog/are-pothos-toxic-to-cats/](…” [excerpt — 554 characters in full]
– r/CATHELP, August 2026 (275 upvotes)
Because the crystals act on contact, there’s no long delay to wait out, unlike lily poisoning, where the FDA says kidney damage builds over a day or more.
When to call a vet
Call your veterinarian or a poison line if your cat’s drooling is heavy, its face or throat looks swollen, its breathing changes, or it stops eating or drinking. The rare throat swelling Pet Poison Helpline describes is the reason not to wait on breathing changes.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435, open around the clock; the ASPCA says a one-time consultation fee applies.
- Your own veterinarian or the nearest emergency clinic.
Have the plant nearby when you call. Pothos, philodendron and devil’s ivy are often mixed up, and the ASPCA lists the same plant under two names, golden pothos and devil’s ivy, with the same verdict.
Most cases don’t need much treatment. Merck’s Veterinary Manual says the mouth pain from pothos fades slowly on its own, and that in severe cases vets may use demulcents, soothing agents that coat the irritated lining, along with pain relief.
Pothos and the houseplants that work the same way
Pothos isn’t unusual. Pet Poison Helpline names a whole group of common houseplants with the same insoluble oxalate crystals, mostly from the arum family, and the ASPCA’s entries line up with that list.
| Plant | ASPCA verdict for cats | What’s in it | What it can cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos (devil’s ivy) | Toxic | Insoluble calcium oxalates | Mouth pain and swelling, drooling, vomiting, trouble swallowing |
| Heartleaf philodendron | Toxic | Insoluble calcium oxalates | Same as pothos |
| Peace lily | Toxic | Insoluble calcium oxalates (Pet Poison Helpline) | Mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting |
| Chinese evergreen | Toxic | Insoluble calcium oxalates | Same as pothos |
| Dieffenbachia (dumb cane) | Toxic | Insoluble calcium oxalates plus a protein-digesting enzyme | Intense burning of the mouth, drooling, vomiting |
| Snake plant | Toxic | Saponins | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea |
| Dracaena | Toxic | Saponins | Vomiting, drooling, dilated pupils in cats |
| Spider plant, Boston fern, Swedish ivy, cast iron plant | Non-toxic | — | Mild stomach upset at most |
| ZZ plant, string of hearts | No ASPCA entry | — | Not confirmed either way |
If your cat reacted to pothos, expect the same from philodendron or a peace lily. A cat that chews a snake plant is more likely to vomit than to drool. The details for the peace lily, including why it isn’t a true lily, are in are peace lilies toxic to cats.
Keeping pothos in a home with cats
You can keep pothos with a cat if the cat can’t reach it. I check every plant against the ASPCA list before it comes home, and pothos is one I’d only keep up high or behind a closed door. A trailing vine dangling from a bookshelf is an invitation.
- Hang it high and trim the tails. Pothos trails, so cut the vines back before they hang into jumping range.
- Use a room the cat doesn’t enter. A closed office or bathroom works if the light is good enough.
- Clear fallen leaves. A dropped leaf on the floor is the easiest one to chew.
Experienced owners say much the same:
“confine either the cats or the plants to their own room. note “toxic” can mean anything from mild irritation to death, not all toxic plants are really dangerous and not all cats eat plants”
– r/houseplants, April 2026 (38 upvotes)
Is pothos toxic to cats FAQ
Is pothos toxic to dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists pothos as toxic to dogs as well as cats, with the same mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.
Are all pothos varieties toxic to cats?
Every pothos the ASPCA covers is listed as toxic to cats. That includes golden pothos and devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum), marble queen (filed under the older name Scindapsus aureus) and satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus), a different plant with the same crystals. Neon and other named varieties aren’t listed separately, so treat them the same way.
What trailing plants are safe for cats?
Spider plant, Swedish ivy and Boston fern are non-toxic to cats in the ASPCA database and all work in a hanging basket. Plenty of owners go looking for a swap after a pothos arrives as a gift:
“I was gifted this pothos because my sister knows I have been wanting a disco ball planter for years and she saw one in Trader Joe’s. I have cats and know pothos is not cat safe. I want to replace it with some other trailing plant. I’ve been eyeing a string of hearts but what else is cat safe? UPDATE: The pothos has been rehomed and the disco ball now contains a watermelon peperomia.”
– r/StringofPlants, April 2026 (29 upvotes)
String of hearts doesn’t have an ASPCA entry, so its safety isn’t confirmed either way.
If you’re keeping your pothos, basic care is in pothos plant, and the different types and how they grow are in pothos plant varieties. For more swaps checked against the ASPCA, see pet friendly indoor plants.
Ellie Marsh
Houseplant grower who spent years in a north-facing apartment. Writes practical care guides for low light homes, checked against extension and botanical garden sources.
