What should I do if my cat ate Hosta?

Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if vomiting is bloody or persists past 24 hours, your cat refuses food for more than a day, or your cat seems markedly lethargic. A single chewed leaf with mild signs usually does not require a visit.

What should I do if my dog ate Hosta?

Remove any remaining plant material from your dog's mouth and the area, and offer fresh water. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center tells you to. Call (888) 426-4435 or your vet for guidance before giving any medications or home remedies. Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea persists past a single episode, if your dog refuses water for more than a few hours, if you see blood in vomit or stool, or if a small or senior dog seems unusually depressed. For a healthy adult dog with one or two soft stools and no other signs, supportive care at home is usually enough — but call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for a case-specific risk assessment.

Hosta — (c) Marco Mussita, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Marco Mussita — Photo by (c) Marco Mussita, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Marco MussitaiNaturalistCC BY

Photo by (c) Marco Mussita, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Marco MussitaiNaturalistCC BY

Pet safety reference

Hosta

Q: Is Hosta safe for cats?

Hosta is potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion typically results in mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat consumes any part of this plant.

Q: Is Hosta safe for dogs?

Hosta is potentially toxic to dogs. Symptoms are generally limited to the digestive tract. Consult a veterinarian if you suspect your dog has ingested Hosta to ensure proper monitoring and care.

Hosta plantaginea

Hosta plantaginea is a popular shade-loving perennial known for its lush, broad foliage and fragrant white flowers. While prized in garden landscapes, it contains saponins that can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested by pets.

Check a list

FunkiaHosta plantagineaPlantain Lily

Light: Partial shade to full shade
Habit: Clumping 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, and abdominal pain.

Escalation note

Ingestion typically results in mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat consumes any part of this plant.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.

Escalation note

Symptoms are generally limited to the digestive tract. Consult a veterinarian if you suspect your dog has ingested Hosta to ensure proper monitoring and care.

Safer alternatives

Safer pick

Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior

Cast iron plant gives similar broad upright leaves and is pet-safe — no hosta saponins.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Calathea brings the same lush leafy clump without hosta's saponins.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Hosta is listed as toxic to dogs and cats, containing saponins that cause vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Hosta plantaginea is a shade-tolerant perennial with large, heart-shaped leaves and fragrant white flowers.

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

Same safety verdict

Other plants with the same verdict

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum

The Mauna Loa Peace Lily is a popular indoor plant known for its elegant white spathes and lush foliage. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation upon contact or ingestion.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Meadow Buttercup

Ranunculus acris

Ranunculus acris is a perennial herbaceous plant known for its bright yellow flowers and presence in meadows. It contains compounds that can cause irritation upon contact or ingestion.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum

Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable known for its edible stalks, but its leaves contain high levels of soluble oxalate crystals that are harmful if ingested. It is widely grown in gardens for culinary use but requires caution regarding pet access to the foliage.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Monstera

Monstera deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa is a popular tropical houseplant known for its large, fenestrated leaves and vining growth habit. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation if ingested by pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.

Same growing conditions

Plants for the same room

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

The Christmas Fern is a hardy, evergreen perennial native to North America, prized for its leathery, dark green fronds that remain vibrant throughout the winter months. It is considered safe for households with pets, though its fibrous texture may cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

Golden Ragwort

Senecio species

Golden Ragwort is a flowering perennial known for its bright yellow blooms and foliage. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause significant health issues if ingested by pets.

Potentially toxic for cats & dogs.