What should I do if my cat ate Australian Ivy Palm?

Remove plant fragments from the mouth and gently wipe the gums and tongue with a damp cloth. Offer a small amount of cold milk, plain yogurt, or another calcium-containing food — the calcium binds the oxalate crystals and helps relieve pain. Do not induce vomiting at home; cats are particularly sensitive to hydrogen peroxide and decontamination decisions belong to the vet. Then call for guidance. Call your vet (or ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435 / Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661) any time drooling persists beyond an hour, if you see swelling that affects the mouth or throat, if vomiting continues past two or three episodes, or if your cat refuses to drink. Kittens and small or thin cats should be evaluated even after a small chew.

What should I do if my dog ate Australian Ivy Palm?

Remove any plant material still in the mouth and gently flush your dog's mouth with cool water before calling. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian or poison-control specialist tells you to. Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 any time you see persistent drooling, mouth or tongue swelling, refusal to eat, or repeated vomiting. Go in immediately if your dog is struggling to breathe or swallow.

Australian Ivy Palm — (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman — Photo by (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas GoldmaniNaturalistCC BY-SA

Photo by (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas GoldmaniNaturalistCC BY-SA

Pet safety reference

Australian Ivy Palm

Q: Is Australian Ivy Palm safe for cats?

Australian Ivy Palm is potentially toxic to cats. The insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause immediate mechanical irritation. If your cat has ingested this plant, please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center immediately.

Q: Is Australian Ivy Palm safe for dogs?

Australian Ivy Palm is potentially toxic to dogs. Ingestion typically results in localized irritation rather than systemic poisoning. Contact your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has consumed any part of the plant.

Brassaia actinophylla

The Australian Ivy Palm is a popular indoor tree known for its large, umbrella-like leaves. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation upon ingestion.

Check a list

Brassaia actinophyllaOctopus TreeSchefflera actinophyllaUmbrella Tree

Light: Bright indirect light
Habit: Upright tree
Care: Moderate

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

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Escalation note

The insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause immediate mechanical irritation. If your cat has ingested this plant, please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center immediately.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing due to tissue irritation.

Escalation note

Ingestion typically results in localized irritation rather than systemic poisoning. Contact your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has consumed any part of the 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

Toxic to dogs and cats due to insoluble calcium oxalates.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted botanical name and distribution data for Brassaia actinophylla.

cats safety page My cat ate Australian Ivy Palm dogs safety page My dog ate Australian Ivy Palm

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