Cats
Potentially toxicConsulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
cat safety reference
Is Oleander safe for cats?
Nerium oleander
Oleander is a highly toxic evergreen shrub known for its showy flowers and extreme sensitivity to ingestion. All parts of the plant contain cardiac glycosides that can cause severe health complications in pets.
Nerium oleanderOleanderRose Bay
- Light
- Full sun
- Habit
- Shrub
- Care
- Moderate
Safety status
What this means for your cat
Oleander is one of the most dangerous plants a cat can chew on. Every part of the plant carries cardiac glycosides — primarily oleandrin — that disrupt heart-muscle electrolyte balance, and even small amounts can be life-threatening.
What to watch for
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain typically appear first. As the cardiac glycosides reach the heart, watch for an abnormally slow or fast heart rate, tremors, weakness, depression, and collapse.
Time window
GI signs commonly appear within the first 2 hours of exposure; cardiac signs may follow and the illness can persist for up to 4-5 days even with treatment.
When to call the vet
Call immediately — this is an emergency. Don't wait for symptoms to confirm exposure; suspected ingestion alone is grounds for an urgent vet visit or a call to ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435).
First aid at home
Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth, save a sample to bring with you, and head straight to the vet. Do not induce vomiting at home unless poison control specifically tells you to — Pet Poison Helpline cautions against unsupervised home emesis.
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
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rate, tremors, and seizures.
Escalation note
Ingestion is considered life-threatening. Seek immediate veterinary attention if any part of the plant is consumed.
Safer alternatives
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Source evidence
Same cat verdict
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