Are Pothos Toxic to Cats?

Pothos plants, also known as devil’s ivy, are popular houseplants known for their easy care and lush, trailing vines. However, pothos contain raphides – tiny needle-like crystals of calcium oxalate that can cause toxicity if ingested by cats and dogs. So, are pothos toxic to cats?

An Overview of Pothos Toxicity in Cats

Yes, pothos plants are toxic to cats if ingested. All parts of the pothos plant, including the leaves, stems, and roots contain insoluble raphides that can cause irritation and swelling if chewed or swallowed by curious cats.

Pothos belong to the Araceae family, and like other aroids such as philodendrons, anthurium, dieffenbachia, and calla lily, they contain calcium oxalate crystals. The levels of toxicity depend on the part of the plant ingested, the size and health of the cat, and how much is consumed.

How Pothos Affects Cats

When ingested, the needle-like raphides penetrate the soft tissues of the mouth, tongue, and throat. This causes:

• Localized irritation, pain, and inflammation
• Excessive drooling and pawing at the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Vomiting
• Redness and swelling of mouth, lips, tongue, throat
• Ulcerations and loss of appetite

If a large amount is eaten, raphides can also irritate the stomach and intestinal tract, causing:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy

Severe poisoning can also cause tissue damage to oral cavities and throat, obstruct airways, and lead to mouth ulcers and oral infections. Kidney damage is also possible in rare cases.

Signs of Pothos Poisoning in Cats

Watch for these common signs of pothos toxicity if you suspect your cat has chewed or ingested any part of the plant:

• Pawing at the mouth
• Drooling and lip licking
• Swollen mouth and tongue
• Difficulty eating or swallowing
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Lethargy and depression
• Diarrhea

The onset of symptoms is typically fast within an hour after ingestion. Seek prompt veterinary treatment if poisoning is suspected.

Are All Pothos Varieties Toxic?

Yes, all varieties and cultivars of pothos contain raphides regardless of their leaf variegation, size, or growth habit. This includes:

• The classic golden pothos with yellow and green variegated leaves
• All-green jade pothos
• Silver satin pothos with silver markings
• Neon pothos with chartreuse foliage
• Marble queen pothos showing white splotches
• Hawaiian pothos with pink and green leaves

So even though the foliage colors vary, the toxicity remains the same across all types of pothos.

Toxic Parts of the Pothos Plant

All parts of the pothos plant are considered toxic to cats and dogs. The raphides are present in:

Leaves

The broad, heart-shaped leaves of pothos contain the insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing or biting into the thick, waxy leaves will immediately release the raphides that can penetrate oral cavities and tissues.

Stems

The long, trailing stems are also loaded with oxalate crystals. Cats that chew on the tender shoots and vines will get exposed to the toxins.

Roots

The aerial roots that grow from the stems have the same toxin. Cats that dig up and bite the roots will get the oxalates into their system. The rootlets tend to break off easily, becoming a choking hazard as well.

Flowers

Pothos rarely bloom indoors, but the flower spathe that forms on mature plants also contains raphides.

So whether it’s the leaves, vines, roots or flowers, the entire pothos plant should be kept away from curious pets to avoid accidental poisoning. Cats that nibble on any part of the plant risk mouth irritation and stomach upset.

Why Are Cats Attracted to Pothos?

The shiny, heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines of pothos are extremely tempting to playful cats. Here are some reasons why pothos appeal to them:

Chewing Satisfaction

Cats love to gnaw on the thick, waxy leaves that make a fun crunchy sound. The fleshy leaves provide more chewing satisfaction compared to thin or wispy foliage.

Texture Variety

The different textures of leaves, stems and aerial roots provide sensory stimulation that cats enjoy. This triggers their natural urge to bite and chew.

Leaf Movement

Cats are fascinated by the way the leaves and vines move as they bat or paw at them. This can encourage them to bite the plant to see the reaction.

Hide and Seek Play

The cascading vines provide endless hide and seek opportunities for inquisitive cats. They may bite the leaves while interacting with the plant.

Exploratory Instinct

By nature, cats use their mouths to explore unknown objects. The pothos’ tropical appearance and dangling vines appeal to their curiosity to bite and taste.

So while pothos plants are highly toxic, their attractively dangling vines and moving leaves make them extremely tempting for cats to chew on and ingest. Keep plants securely out of paw’s reach.

Are Other Houseplants Toxic to Cats?

Yes, pothos are not the only houseplant toxic to cats. Many popular indoor plants contain irritants, toxins and chemicals that can be harmful if ingested by pets. Some other toxic houseplants are:

• Philodendrons
• Lilies
• Sago palms
• Aloe vera
• ZZ plant
• Snake plant
• Jade plant
• Poinsettia
• Chrysanthemums
• English ivy
• Peace lily

Always check a plant’s toxicity level before bringing it home if you have pets. Some may cause mild stomach upset while others can have severe effects. Keep dangerous plants completely inaccessible to avoid poisoning accidents.

How Much Pothos is Toxic to Cats?

The severity of pothos poisoning depends on how much of the plant a cat ingests along with their size and health status. As a rule of thumb:

For Small Amounts:

Just licking the plant or tasting the leaves can cause almost immediate mouth pain and drooling. Mild vomiting or diarrhea may occur if a few bites are ingested. Symptoms resolve on their own within 12-24 hours as the irritants pass through the body.

Medium Exposure:

Chewing several leaves or a small vine section may cause excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, lack of appetite, and lethargy. Symptoms last 24-48 hours and require veterinary treatment for mouth and stomach inflammation.

Large Ingestion:

Eating a large amount of leaves or vines can cause severe burning and swelling of the mouth, tongue, lips and throat along with bloody vomit. It may lead to breathing difficulties, oral ulcers, lesions, and obstructed airway requiring prompt emergency veterinary care.

Fatal Amounts:

While not common, eating a very large portion of the plant may cause tissue necrosis, respiratory failure, kidney damage, tremors, seizure, collapse and potentially death in extreme cases if untreated. Seek immediate veterinary help if you suspect a large ingestion.

So while a small taste or lick may cause irritation, a sizeable ingestion can result in serious health risks requiring rapid medical intervention. Prevention and prompt treatment are vital.

Emergency Treatment for Pothos Poisoning in Cats

If you catch your cat chewing on a pothos plant or suspect poisoning, take quick action:

Remove and Rinse

Carefully remove any pieces of the plant from the cat’s mouth and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water to dilute and wash out any sap or raphides. Avoid swallowing.

Induce Vomiting

If swallowed within the past two hours, call your vet regarding inducing vomiting to expel stomach contents before toxins are absorbed.

Veterinary Care

Rush to your veterinarian or emergency vet clinic immediately. Treatment will involve:

• Decontamination and flushing the mouth
• Medication to reduce swelling and inflammation
• IV fluids for hydration
• Anti-nausea medication
• Pain relief
• Monitoring kidney function
• Supportive hospitalization care in severe cases

Prevent Licking/Chewing

Prevent your cat from licking or chewing their mouth area. Provide soft foods, offer nutrition gels, and assist with eating/drinking until swelling subsides.

Monitor Symptoms

Watch for any worrisome symptoms after the initial treatment and take your cat back to the vet if you notice continued drooling, mouth pain, vomiting, bloody stool, ulcers or any signs of respiratory distress.

With prompt treatment, most cats recover fully within a few days. But delays can lead to serious complications, so seek immediate medical care if pothos poisoning is suspected. Prevention is always best.

How to Keep Cats Away from Pothos

Since pothos plants are very common in homes and offices, keep these tips in mind to protect curious cats:

• Place pothos and other toxic plants completely out of reach of cats – on high shelves, hanging pots or behind closed doors.
• Keep indoor cats away from outdoor garden pothos plants as well.
• Avoid placing pothos plants on the floor, low surfaces or anywhere a cat could access.
• Secure pots tightly to prevent tipping over. Use heavy containers that do not easily spill.
• Consider cat-safe alternatives instead like spider plants, Boston ferns, African violets, parlour palms, orchids.
• Apply bitter deterrent sprays made for plants to discourage biting and chewing.
• Use bodily blocks or sheets of foil around the soil base to prevent digging.
• Consider plastic plants if you suspect your cat may be a relentless chewer.

Take advantage of a cat’s indifference to citrus scents. Place cut lemons, orange peels around off-limit plants. The aroma drives most cats away.

Stay vigilant and keep a close eye on curious cats near toxic vegetation. Removing the temptation is the best approach to prevent poisoning.

Are Pothos and Philodendrons the Same?

Pothos and philodendrons are often mistaken for each other, but they are different houseplant species:

• Pothos belong to the Epipremnum genus in the arum family Araceae. The most popular Golden pothos is Epipremnum aureum.
• Philodendrons belong to the Philodendron genus in the same Araceae family. Heart-leaf philodendron is Philodendron scandens.

They share similar characteristics like heart-shaped leaves, vining growth habits and toxic raphides that can irritate the digestive tract. But the plants have different care needs and growth patterns:

• Pothos have thicker, waxy leaves. Philodendrons have thinner, more velvety leaves.
• Pothos can tolerate a wide temperature range. Philodendrons prefer warm, consistent temps.
• Pothos vines tend to grow longer than philodendrons. They trail more vigorously.
• Philodendrons often climb up supports. Pothos trail down as they grow.
• Philodendrons are slightly more difficult to grow than the nearly indestructible pothos.

So while both contain irritating calcium oxalate crystals that make them toxic to cats, pothos and philodendrons are not the same. But their similarities cause the two plants to be mistaken for each other quite often.

Are Arrowhead Plants Related to Pothos?

Arrowhead plants (Syngonium podophyllum) are not directly related to pothos, but they do belong to the same Araceae plant family. Some similarities between pothos and arrowheads are:

• Both have vining growth habits, often climbing up supports.
• They have similarly shaped, heart-shaped leaves that may cause people to confuse the two.
• Both contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals (raphides) that make them toxic to cats and dogs when ingested.

But there are also some key differences:

• Arrowhead leaves are more stiff, waxy and have a brighter, shinier appearance than softer, duller pothos leaves.
• Mature arrowhead leaves develop slits and holes unlike pothos leaves.
• The variegation patterns vary – arrowheads leaves are often two-tone while pothos has speckled, streaked patterns.
• Arrowheads are generally smaller, staying under 3 feet indoors compared to pothos that can reach 10 feet.
• Arrowheads are slightly more difficult to grow than resilient pothos, requiring a bit more care.

So while arrowhead plants and pothos share some similarities and family lineage, they are distinctly different houseplants. But both contain toxins that make chewing or ingesting any parts dangerous to household pets like cats and dogs.

Natural Deterrents to Keep Cats Away from Pothos

Instead of harsh chemical repellents, try these gentle natural home remedies to deter cats away from toxic plants:

Citrus Peels

Cats dislike the strong citrusy smell of oranges, lemons, grapefruit or limes. Simply place some peels around the soil of the pothos. Or rub the peel lightly along the rims of planters. The scent helps keep most cats away.

Coffee Grounds

Sprinkle used coffee grounds around indoor plants. Cats dislike both the aroma and crunchy texture. Refresh grounds weekly.Ensure there’s no mould before application.

Pipe Cleaners

Twist pipe cleaners loosely around plant vines and stems. The texture and motion deter cats from chewing or biting the leaves.

Aluminum Foil

Cover soil with sheets of foil and place strips lightly along edges of containers. The noise, texture and flashes of light deter most curious cats.

Cider Vinegar

Wipe plant rims and leaves with a cloth soaked in apple cider vinegar. The smell discourages cats from nibbling.

Citronella Oil

Apply a few drops of natural citronella essential oil on cotton balls. Place strategically around toxic plants. The strong smell repels cats away.

With some clever strategizing, it’s possible to keep indoor plants safe while also protecting curious cats. But also ensure you cat-proof dangerous vegetation by placing completely out of reach. Prevention is the key to avoiding toxicity.

Will Pothos Kill Cats If Ingested?

It’s unlikely that pothos will kill a cat with mild exposure or ingestion. The primary risks are:

• Mouth and tongue irritation and swelling from the raphides.
• Gastrointestinal upset like vomiting and diarrhea that cause discomfort but typically resolve on their own.

However, more serious complications can rarely occur if a very large amount is consumed:

• Excessive swelling causing airway obstruction.
• Severe oral or gastrointestinal lesions, ulcers and tissue damage.
• Dehydration, kidney dysfunction.
• Respiratory failure in acute toxicity cases.

But even with treatment, substantial ingestion can potentially be fatal in some cases. So immediate veterinary care is vital to avoid life-threatening damage and increase chances of recovery. Prevention of exposure is the best way to avoid any level of poisoning.

Can Cats Recover from Pothos Poisoning?

Yes, with prompt veterinary treatment, most cats can make a full recovery after ingesting pothos leaves or vines. Here’s what recovery and prognosis depends on:

• How much of the plant was consumed. Small ingestions have better outcomes.
• How soon treatment was started. Earlier interventions are most effective.
• If vomiting was induced quickly to eliminate plant parts.
• If mouth and gastrointestinal areas were flushed to remove raphides.
• The age and general health of the cat plays a role. Younger, healthier cats recover quicker.
• Whether kidney function or respiration was compromised requiring intensive hospitalization.

So while the tingling and irritation from limited exposure will clear up on their own, treatment is essential if a sizable amount was consumed. With aggressive decontamination and supportive care, most cats fully recover without lasting impacts. But delays in treatment can be life endangering.

How Long Do Pothos Poisoning Symptoms Last in Cats?

Cats that only lick or nibble on a pothos plant may drool, paw at their mouth and have swollen lips for 12-24 hours. Discomfort and inflammation subside on their own.

More significant exposure from chewing several leaves can cause 24-48 hours of excessive drooling, pain, poor appetite, lethargy, and vomiting until inflammation resolves.

With major ingestion, severe mouth, tongue and throat swelling may take 2-3 days to reduce with veterinary treatment. Oral ulcers, lesions and gastrointestinal upset can persist for a week or longer depending on damage.

Full recovery times depend on the amount ingested, how quickly treatment was started, if kidney function or respiration was affected, and the cat’s overall health. Mild cases usually recover quickest within 1-2 days. More severe poisoning takes 4-7 days.

How to Treat a Cat after Pothos Poisoning

If your cat is poisoned by a pothos plant, here are some at-home treatment tips once they return home from the vet:

• Ensure access to fresh water to stay hydrated. Flush water bowls frequently.
• Feed a bland, easy-to-swallow diet like steamed chicken and broth until swelling subsides. Avoid dry food.
• Add some canned pumpkin