What should I do if my cat ate Milkweed?

Remove your cat from the plant and take any leaves or sap out of the mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting unless explicitly told to by a veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline — your vet may use activated charcoal or controlled emesis depending on timing. Bring a sample or photo of the plant to the clinic. Call immediately. Don't wait for symptoms — call your vet, the ASPCA APCC (888-426-4435), or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) the moment you suspect ingestion. This plant can cause cardiac arrhythmias; early treatment matters.

What should I do if my dog ate Milkweed?

Remove your dog from the plant and take any leaves or milky sap out of the mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting unless explicitly told to by a vet or Pet Poison Helpline — they may use activated charcoal or controlled emesis depending on how long ago the ingestion happened. Bring a piece of the plant or a photo to the clinic for identification. Call immediately. Don't wait for symptoms — call your vet, ASPCA APCC (888-426-4435), or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) the moment you suspect any ingestion. Treatment may include activated charcoal, induced emesis, or digoxin-specific antibodies depending on timing and species.

Milkweed — no rights reserved — Photo by no rights reservediNaturalistCC0

Photo by no rights reservediNaturalistCC0

Pet safety reference

Milkweed

Q: Is Milkweed safe for cats?

Milkweed is potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion can lead to serious systemic effects due to cardiac glycosides. Please contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately if ingestion is suspected.

Q: Is Milkweed safe for dogs?

Milkweed is potentially toxic to dogs. The toxins in milkweed can affect the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Seek veterinary care promptly if your dog has consumed any part of this plant.

Asclepias species

Milkweed is a diverse genus of herbaceous perennials known for their milky sap and importance to pollinators. All parts of the plant are considered toxic to pets due to the presence of cardiac glycosides.

Check a list

AsclepiasAsclepias speciesButterfly WeedMilkweed

Light: Full sun
Habit: Upright herbaceous perennial
Care: Low

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Sources

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Cats — concern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, cardiac arrhythmias or tremors.

Escalation note

Ingestion can lead to serious systemic effects due to cardiac glycosides. Please contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately if ingestion is suspected.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Drooling, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, and potential heart rate irregularities or seizures.

Escalation note

The toxins in milkweed can affect the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Seek veterinary care promptly if your dog has consumed any part of this plant.

Safer alternatives

No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Milkweed contains cardiac glycosides which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and heart rhythm abnormalities in pets.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Asclepias species are known for their milky latex sap and are toxic to humans and animals if ingested.

cats safety page My cat ate Milkweed dogs safety page My dog ate Milkweed

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