Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Cycads - what should I do?
Cycas and Zamia species
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, diarrhea, lethargy, jaundice, increased thirst, and potential liver failure.
Escalation note
Extremely toxic; ingestion of even a small amount can be fatal. Contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal poison control center immediately if ingestion is suspected.
First aid at home
If you saw your cat chew or swallow any part of a cycad, do not wait for symptoms — bring the cat and a sample or photo of the plant to the emergency vet now. Do not induce vomiting unless your vet or poison control instructs you to. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) on the way.
What to watch for
Within minutes to hours: drooling, vomiting (sometimes with blood), diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Over the next 1–3 days: jaundice (yellow gums or eyes), increased thirst, lethargy, easy bruising, dark or tarry stools, and weakness or seizures as liver failure sets in.
Time window
GI signs begin within 15 minutes to several hours after ingestion. Neurologic and severe liver signs typically appear within 2–3 days. Hospitalization for several days is the norm.
When to call the vet
Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately — even if your cat seems fine. About 50% of cycad poisonings are fatal even with treatment, and outcomes hinge on how quickly decontamination starts.
What this means for your cat
Cats — extremely toxic, treat as an emergency. ASPCA lists cycads (sago palm and relatives) as toxic to cats; cycasin in every part of the plant causes severe GI signs that can progress to liver failure within days. Pet Poison Helpline notes as few as one or two seeds can be fatal.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.