Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Leatherflower - what should I do?
Clematis sp.
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and oral irritation.
Escalation note
Ingestion typically causes gastrointestinal distress. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat has consumed any part of this plant.
First aid at home
Remove any plant material from the mouth and offer fresh water to rinse it out. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a veterinarian or poison control.
What to watch for
Look for excessive salivation/drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severity is generally proportional to the amount chewed; mild oral irritation is the most common presentation.
Time window
Onset and recovery time are not well documented for clematis specifically; based on similar GI irritants, signs typically begin within a few hours and resolve within 24 hours with supportive care.
When to call the vet
Call a vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if drooling or vomiting persists more than a few hours, your cat refuses to eat or drink, or you suspect more than a tiny taste was swallowed.
What this means for your cat
Cats: ASPCA lists clematis as toxic, and Pet Poison Helpline notes it contains an irritant glycoside that causes oral and GI irritation. The good news for cat owners is that the plant tastes very bitter, which deters most cats from eating much of it.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.