What to Do if Your Cat Chewed Golden Pothos

Move your cat away from the plant and contact your veterinary team or an animal poison service if you think they chewed golden pothos. Save the plant name and take photos of the whole plant and a damaged leaf. Sudden difficulty breathing is an emergency. Call the emergency clinic on the way if someone else can make the call.

Describe the plant and what your cat did

Golden pothos is also sold under names such as devil's ivy. Common names vary. If you have a nursery tag, read the scientific name to the person helping you. The ASPCA plant entry identifies golden pothos as Epipremnum aureum and lists insoluble calcium oxalates as its toxic principle. Chewing the plant can irritate the mouth. Possible signs include excessive drooling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. The ASPCA houseplant overview puts that irritation in context with other common plants.

A plant app result or similar leaf shape does not settle the identification. Say what you know and where you're guessing. Note whether you actually saw chewing, found plant material near the cat, or found damaged leaves with no witness. Report the time, whether the cat can swallow, and any change in breathing.

Leave home remedies out of the response

Don't induce vomiting or force a cat to drink or eat to wash the plant down. If your cat is painful or struggling, avoid prying the mouth open. The veterinary team can tell you whether to bring the cat in and how to handle the plant material safely. If a true lily may have been involved, say that clearly. The lily exposure guide explains why the call needs different information when a lily is possible.

Check the route to the plant

A hanging pot can still trail down beside a shelf or chair. Move the plant into a room the cat cannot access, or choose a different plant after checking the exact species. Collect fallen leaves and cuttings when you move it so the original exposure doesn't repeat.

Written by PARTNER Editorial Team for general education. Contact your veterinary team for advice about your pet’s individual health and feeding needs.