What should I do if my cat ate Morning Glory?

Remove your cat from the plant and take any leaves or seeds out of the mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting unless explicitly told to by a vet or Pet Poison Helpline — bring any seeds, leaves, or a photo of the plant to the clinic to confirm species. Call your vet or ASPCA APCC (888-426-4435) any time your cat eats morning glory seeds, regardless of amount. For foliage, call if vomiting is repeated or if you see any neurological signs (tremors, unsteadiness, abnormal behavior). Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) is also available 24/7.

Morning Glory — (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

cat safety reference

Is Morning Glory safe for cats?

Q: Is Morning Glory safe for cats?

Morning Glory is potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion of seeds or plant material can lead to gastrointestinal upset. Please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center immediately if you suspect your cat has ingested any part of this plant.

Ipomoea spp.

Morning Glory is a popular flowering vine known for its trumpet-shaped blooms that open in the morning. While aesthetically pleasing, the seeds and other plant parts contain alkaloids that can cause digestive distress if ingested by pets.

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IpomoeaIpomoea spp.Morning Glory

Light: Full sun
Habit: Vining
Care: Moderate

Safety status

Cats

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.

What this means for your cat

Cats should not chew on morning glory plants — and the seeds are the bigger problem. ASPCA lists Ipomoea spp. as toxic, with indole alkaloids (lysergic acid, lysergamide, elymoclavine, and chanoclavine) as the toxic principles. Foliage ingestion typically causes only mild GI upset, but a cat that eats a handful of seeds can show neurological signs.

What to watch for

Foliage exposure: mild vomiting and diarrhea. Seed exposure (much more concerning): hallucinations, agitation, incoordination, tremors, and disorientation in addition to GI signs. Watch for behavioral changes — pupillary dilation, hiding, vocalizing, or obvious disorientation.

Time window

ASPCA does not give specific timing. Pet Poison Helpline indicates GI signs from foliage are usually short-lived; neurological signs from seed ingestion can take several hours to peak and may persist 12–24 hours. Exact timing not well documented.

When to call the vet

Call your vet or ASPCA APCC (888-426-4435) any time your cat eats morning glory seeds, regardless of amount. For foliage, call if vomiting is repeated or if you see any neurological signs (tremors, unsteadiness, abnormal behavior). Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) is also available 24/7.

First aid at home

Remove your cat from the plant and take any leaves or seeds out of the mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting unless explicitly told to by a vet or Pet Poison Helpline — bring any seeds, leaves, or a photo of the plant to the clinic to confirm species.

Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.

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, lethargy, and potential neurological signs such as tremors or disorientation.

Escalation note

Ingestion of seeds or plant material can lead to gastrointestinal upset. Please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center immediately if you suspect your cat has ingested any part of this 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

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Ipomoea is a large genus of flowering plants in the Convolvulaceae family, commonly known as morning glories.

Cats & dogs page dogs page My cat ate Morning Glory

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