Why it is poisonous to cats
Ivy leaves and berries contain substances that irritate the mouth, the stomach and the gut. After chewing a leaf, a cat may drool, vomit, have diarrhoea and a sore belly. The sap can irritate the skin too.
Contact a vet if the vomiting or diarrhoea does not stop, or the cat stops eating, becomes dull or struggles to breathe.
Ivy is grown both in pots indoors and outside, where it climbs walls and fences, so a cat can find it in either place.
What to watch out for
- Drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea can follow.
- The cat can have a sore belly and stop eating.
- The sap can irritate the skin.
- Trailing ivy stems tempt a playing cat.
Which parts are dangerous
Not every part of the plant is equally dangerous.
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Leaves
Not safeThey irritate the mouth, the stomach and the gut.
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Berries
Not safeThe black berries of older plants irritate the gut too.
What it can cause
Signs that can appear after eating it. Each page explains what to look out for and when to hurry to a vet.
Safe plants instead
Plants that are safer to keep.