Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Purslane - what should I do?
Portulaca oleracea
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
Oral irritation, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and potential vomiting.
Escalation note
Ingestion typically causes mild to moderate irritation due to calcium oxalate crystals. Always contact your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has ingested this plant.
What to watch for
Most common: drooling/salivation and reduced appetite shortly after chewing the plant. Often: vomiting, diarrhea, and depression (a cat that just lies around and ignores normal cues). Possible: trembling and muscle weakness. Less common but serious: signs of kidney trouble — increased thirst, increased or decreased urination, vomiting that won’t stop — typically only after a large ingestion.
Time window
ASPCA does not list specific timing. Soluble-oxalate signs typically begin within a few hours of ingestion; mild GI signs usually resolve within 24–48 hours, but kidney monitoring may be advised after a large ingestion.
When to call the vet
Call promptly for tremors, persistent vomiting, weakness, or any sign of changes in drinking or urinating. Treat large ingestions as urgent so a vet can monitor kidney values. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.
What this means for your cat
For cats, purslane (also sold as moss rose) is toxic because of soluble calcium oxalates concentrated in its succulent leaves and stems. ASPCA lists tremors, salivation, muscle weakness, depression, and diarrhea as clinical signs, with kidney failure rare in dogs and cats. Most exposures are mild, but a cat that grazes heavily — especially on stressed, oxalate-rich plants — can become seriously sick.
Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance).
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.