What should I do if my cat ate Cyclamen?

Move the cat away from the plant and wipe out any plant fragments. Per Pet Poison Helpline, you can rinse the mouth with water to reduce irritation and withhold food and water for a few hours so the GI tract can settle. Do not induce vomiting. Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. Call promptly for vomiting that won't stop, lethargy, or any neurologic sign — staggering, collapse, or seizures. If you saw the cat dig up and chew a tuber, treat it as an emergency and call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) right away.

What should I do if my dog ate Cyclamen?

Take the dog away from the plant, wipe out any visible plant fragments from the mouth, and offer water. Per Pet Poison Helpline, withhold food and water for a few hours to let the GI tract settle. Do not induce vomiting at home. Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. Call any time vomiting persists, the dog seems weak or wobbly, or you see fainting or seizure-like behavior. If your dog dug up and chewed a tuber, treat it as an emergency — call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) right away.

Cyclamen — peganum from Small Dole, England — Photo by peganum from Small Dole, EnglandWikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 2.0

Photo by peganum from Small Dole, EnglandWikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 2.0

Pet safety reference

Cyclamen

Q: Is Cyclamen safe for cats?

Cyclamen is potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion of the tubers can lead to more severe reactions including heart rhythm abnormalities or seizures. Contact your veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.

Q: Is Cyclamen safe for dogs?

Cyclamen is potentially toxic to dogs. The tubers contain the highest concentration of toxins; ingestion may cause serious systemic effects. Please consult your veterinarian if your dog has consumed any part of this plant.

Cyclamen spp

Cyclamen is a popular flowering tuberous plant known for its upswept petals and patterned foliage. It contains triterpenoid saponins which are concentrated in the roots and can cause significant irritation if ingested by pets.

Check a list

Cyclamen sppFlorist's CyclamenPersian CyclamenSowbread

Light: Bright indirect light
Habit: Mounding
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

Excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Escalation note

Ingestion of the tubers can lead to more severe reactions including heart rhythm abnormalities or seizures. Contact your veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Escalation note

The tubers contain the highest concentration of toxins; ingestion may cause serious systemic effects. Please consult your veterinarian if your dog has consumed any part of this plant.

Safer alternatives

Safer pick

African Violet

Saintpaulia spp.

African violet is a pet-safer flowering rosette that won't trigger cyclamen's saponin-driven GI reaction.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Cape primrose is a pet-safer rosette with similar nodding bloom shapes.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Cyclamen contains triterpenoid saponins which can cause irritation and systemic toxicity in pets.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Cyclamen persicum is a tuberous perennial that is toxic to dogs and cats.

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

Same safety verdict

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Same growing conditions

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