What should I do if my cat ate Butterfly Iris?

Calmly remove any plant matter from the cat's mouth and fur, and pick up remaining plant pieces so there's no second helping. If sap is on the skin or around the mouth, rinse the area with water. Don't induce vomiting on your own. Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control to decide whether the cat should be seen. Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if drooling lasts more than a couple of hours, if vomiting or diarrhea persist beyond 12–24 hours, or if your cat appears lethargic or stops eating. Call immediately if you saw the cat chew on the rhizome (bulb-like underground stem) — that's the most toxic part.

What should I do if my dog ate Butterfly Iris?

Stay calm, take any plant pieces out of your dog's mouth and off the fur, and remove access to the plant so there's no repeat. If there's sap on the eyes, mouth, or skin, flush the area with water. Do not induce vomiting unless your vet or poison control specifically tells you to, and don't give over-the-counter medication. Call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline before driving in so they can plan treatment. Call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) for any vomiting or diarrhea after a Butterfly Iris ingestion. Call immediately if you saw your dog dig up and chew the rhizome, if vomiting is repeated, or if you see signs of dehydration (lethargy, dry gums, sunken eyes). Small dogs and puppies should be evaluated even after small ingestions.

Butterfly Iris — (c) peganum, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) — Photo by (c) peganum, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)iNaturalistCC BY-SA

Photo by (c) peganum, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)iNaturalistCC BY-SA

Pet safety reference

Butterfly Iris

Q: Is Butterfly Iris safe for cats?

Butterfly Iris is potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion of the rhizomes or leaves can cause gastrointestinal irritation. Please contact your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has ingested any part of this plant.

Q: Is Butterfly Iris safe for dogs?

Butterfly Iris is potentially toxic to dogs. The plant contains irritating compounds that can cause digestive upset. If your dog consumes this plant, please consult your veterinarian for guidance.

Iris spuria

The Butterfly Iris is a rhizomatous perennial known for its elegant, orchid-like flowers and tall, grass-like foliage. It is commonly grown in garden borders but contains compounds that can cause irritation if ingested by pets.

Check a list

Butterfly IrisIris spuriaSeashore Iris

Light: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Clumping rhizomatous perennial
Care: Low to 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

Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.

Escalation note

Ingestion of the rhizomes or leaves can cause gastrointestinal irritation. Please contact your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has ingested any part of this plant.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, drooling, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.

Escalation note

The plant contains irritating compounds that can cause digestive upset. If your dog consumes this plant, please consult your veterinarian for guidance.

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

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

The Butterfly Iris is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs due to the presence of irisin and other irritating compounds.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Official botanical record for Iris spuria L., confirming its classification within the Iridaceae family.

cats safety page My cat ate Butterfly Iris dogs safety page My dog ate Butterfly Iris

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Butterfly Iris vs Iris

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