Morning Glory

Yes, morning glory (Ipomoea spp.) is potentially toxic to cats. The plant contains alkaloids that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and neurological signs such as tremors or disorientation, making it a plant to keep well away from cats.

Seed ingestion is much more concerning than foliage exposure. Beyond GI signs like vomiting and diarrhea, seeds can cause hallucinations, agitation, incoordination, tremors, and disorientation. Watch also for behavioral changes such as pupillary dilation, hiding, unusual vocalizing, or obvious confusion. Neurological signs from seeds can take several hours to peak and may persist 12–24 hours.

Remove your cat from the plant and clear any leaves or seeds from the mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a vet. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 any time your cat eats morning glory seeds — regardless of amount. For foliage, call if vomiting is repeated or any neurological signs appear. Bring seeds, leaves, or a photo of the plant to the clinic to confirm the species.

Yes, foliage and seeds carry different risk levels. Eating leaves or stems typically causes mild, short-lived vomiting and diarrhea. Seeds are far more concerning because the alkaloid concentration is higher, and seed ingestion is associated with the neurological signs — tremors, incoordination, and disorientation — that can take hours to peak and last up to 12–24 hours.

Yes, morning glory (Ipomoea spp.) is potentially toxic to dogs. The plant contains lysergic acid alkaloids that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in larger ingestions — particularly of seeds — ataxia or tremors.

Seeds are the most concerning part: in larger amounts they can cause incoordination ('walking drunk'), agitation, and hallucination-like behavior in addition to the gastrointestinal signs (vomiting, diarrhea) seen with leaf or vine ingestion. Neurologic signs from seeds may take longer to appear than GI symptoms.

Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) the same day if your dog has vomiting or diarrhea that doesn't stop. Call immediately if you see incoordination, agitation, or tremors, or if you know your dog ate seeds specifically.

Morning glory contains lysergic acid alkaloids, which are responsible for both the gastrointestinal effects and the potential neurologic signs like ataxia and agitation. GI symptoms typically appear within hours of ingestion; seed-driven neurologic effects may have a longer or less predictable onset.