Pet safety reference

English Ivy

Hedera helix

Climbing vine sold as English ivy or common ivy that is classified as toxic to cats and dogs by major pet-toxicology references.

Check a list
Branching ivyCommon ivyEnglish ivyHedera helixSweetheart ivy
Light
medium to bright indirect
Habit
climbing vine
Care
easy

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Potentially toxic

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

Sources

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, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea are commonly reported after ingestion.

Escalation note

Foliage is generally more irritating than the berries in reported cases, but both are listed as toxic.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea are commonly reported.

Escalation note

Seek veterinary guidance if symptoms are more than mild or if a large amount was eaten.

Safer alternatives

Safer pick
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum

Same medium to bright indirect light — and not classified as toxic to cats or dogs.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Safer pick
Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata

Pet-safe stand-in — and not classified as toxic to cats or dogs.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Safer pick
Baby Rubber Plant
Peperomia obtusifolia

Same easy care routine — and not classified as toxic to cats or dogs.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Source evidence

ASPCA: English Ivy

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

ASPCA lists English ivy as toxic to dogs and cats due to triterpenoid saponins.

NC State Extension: Hedera helix

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

NC State Extension confirms Hedera helix identity and notes its invasive status plus pet risk.

Same safety verdict

Other plants with the same verdict

Golden Pothos
Epipremnum aureum

Very common trailing houseplant widely sold as pothos or devil's ivy and regularly flagged as irritating if chewed.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata

Common upright houseplant still sold under the former Sansevieria name, with low-to-moderate irritation risk if chewed.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii

Broadleaf flowering houseplant with a common lily name that still needs explicit cat and dog irritation warnings on lookup pages.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Aloe Vera
Aloe vera

Popular succulent with medicinal gel for humans; the latex layer under the skin is toxic to cats and dogs.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Same growing conditions

Plants for the same room

Swiss Cheese Vine
Monstera adansonii

Smaller trailing Monstera with heavily fenestrated leaves; toxicity profile mirrors Monstera deliciosa.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Amazonian Elephant Ear
Alocasia amazonica

Arrow-shaped elephant-ear houseplant hybrid; classified as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.