Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Arrowhead Plant - what should I do?
Syngonium podophyllum
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, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
Escalation note
The presence of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals causes immediate mechanical irritation. If your cat has ingested this plant, please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center.
First aid at home
Per Merck Veterinary Manual guidance for insoluble-oxalate ingestion: rinse the cat's mouth with cool water to flush remaining raphides, then offer milk or yogurt — calcium binds the oxalate crystals and helps clear them from oral tissue. Wipe visible plant residue from fur and paws so it isn't re-ingested. Call your vet if symptoms persist or worsen.
What to watch for
Most common: immediate pawing at the mouth, drooling, head shaking, vomiting, lip and tongue swelling, and reluctance to eat. Less common but more concerning: choking sounds, persistent gagging, or visible airway swelling. Symptoms typically appear immediately and almost always within two hours of ingestion.
Time window
Signs typically appear immediately or within two hours of ingestion. Most cats recover within 12 to 48 hours with supportive care; severe cases involving airway swelling are rare but require emergency intervention.
When to call the vet
Call your vet immediately for any sign of airway swelling — choking sounds, labored breathing, or extreme drooling that doesn't improve within an hour. Also call for vomiting that won't stop, or refusal to eat or drink past the first few hours. Otherwise an after-hours call to ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) for guidance is reasonable.
What this means for your cat
Cats that chew arrowhead leaves get an immediate, sharp burning sensation in the mouth — caused by microscopic calcium-oxalate needles (raphides) embedded in every part of the plant. ASPCA and NC State Extension both classify Syngonium podophyllum as toxic to cats, but it's painful rather than life-threatening; most cats recover within a day with simple supportive care.
Sources: ASPCA, NC State Extension, Merck Veterinary Manual.
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.