Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Hawaiian Ti - what should I do?
Cordyline fruticosa
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
Vomiting (sometimes with blood), diarrhea, drooling, and loss of appetite.
Escalation note
Ingestion typically causes mild to moderate gastrointestinal irritation. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat has consumed any part of this plant.
What to watch for
Vomiting (sometimes with blood), hypersalivation, depression, and anorexia, with dilated pupils as a distinctive feline sign. Lethargy and diarrhea are common. ASPCA does not publish a toxic dose.
Time window
ASPCA does not publish a precise onset window; GI signs typically appear within hours of chewing and resolve in roughly 24 hours with supportive care.
When to call the vet
Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if vomiting is bloody or persistent, your cat refuses food, or you notice marked lethargy. Most cats improve within an hour of treatment and recover fully within 24 hours.
What this means for your cat
Cats that bite Hawaiian Ti are exposed to saponins, which mainly irritate the GI tract. ASPCA flags one feline-specific sign here — dilated pupils — that does not show up in dogs, alongside the usual vomiting and drooling. Most cases are unpleasant rather than dangerous.
Sources: ASPCA, NC State Extension (no first-aid guidance).
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.