What should I do if my cat ate Arrowhead Plant?

Per Merck Veterinary Manual guidance for insoluble-oxalate ingestion: rinse the cat's mouth with cool water to flush remaining raphides, then offer milk or yogurt — calcium binds the oxalate crystals and helps clear them from oral tissue. Wipe visible plant residue from fur and paws so it isn't re-ingested. Call your vet if symptoms persist or worsen. Call your vet immediately for any sign of airway swelling — choking sounds, labored breathing, or extreme drooling that doesn't improve within an hour. Also call for vomiting that won't stop, or refusal to eat or drink past the first few hours. Otherwise an after-hours call to ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) for guidance is reasonable.

Arrowhead Plant — (c) Skjold Søndergaard, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Skjold Søndergaard — Photo by (c) Skjold Søndergaard, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Skjold SøndergaardiNaturalistCC BY

Photo by (c) Skjold Søndergaard, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Skjold SøndergaardiNaturalistCC BY

cat safety reference

Is Arrowhead Plant safe for cats?

Q: Is Arrowhead Plant safe for cats?

Arrowhead Plant is potentially toxic to cats. The presence of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals causes immediate mechanical irritation. If your cat has ingested this plant, please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center.

Syngonium podophyllum

Syngonium podophyllum is a popular tropical vining plant known for its arrow-shaped leaves that change form as the plant matures. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals which can cause irritation if ingested by pets.

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African EvergreenArrow-Head VineNephthytisSyngoniumSyngonium podophyllum

Light: Bright indirect light
Habit: Vining or climbing
Care: Low to 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 that chew arrowhead leaves get an immediate, sharp burning sensation in the mouth — caused by microscopic calcium-oxalate needles (raphides) embedded in every part of the plant. ASPCA and NC State Extension both classify Syngonium podophyllum as toxic to cats, but it's painful rather than life-threatening; most cats recover within a day with simple supportive care.

What to watch for

Most common: immediate pawing at the mouth, drooling, head shaking, vomiting, lip and tongue swelling, and reluctance to eat. Less common but more concerning: choking sounds, persistent gagging, or visible airway swelling. Symptoms typically appear immediately and almost always within two hours of ingestion.

Time window

Signs typically appear immediately or within two hours of ingestion. Most cats recover within 12 to 48 hours with supportive care; severe cases involving airway swelling are rare but require emergency intervention.

When to call the vet

Call your vet immediately for any sign of airway swelling — choking sounds, labored breathing, or extreme drooling that doesn't improve within an hour. Also call for vomiting that won't stop, or refusal to eat or drink past the first few hours. Otherwise an after-hours call to ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) for guidance is reasonable.

First aid at home

Per Merck Veterinary Manual guidance for insoluble-oxalate ingestion: rinse the cat's mouth with cool water to flush remaining raphides, then offer milk or yogurt — calcium binds the oxalate crystals and helps clear them from oral tissue. Wipe visible plant residue from fur and paws so it isn't re-ingested. Call your vet if symptoms persist or worsen.

Sources: ASPCA, NC State Extension, Merck Veterinary Manual.

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

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Escalation note

The presence of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals causes immediate mechanical irritation. If your cat has ingested this plant, please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center.

Safer alternatives

Safer pick

Hoya

Hoya pubicalyx

Hoya is a pet-safer trailing-vine alternative without the insoluble calcium oxalates that make arrowhead plant irritating.

Not yet rated for cats.

Not yet rated for dogs.

Spider plant gives the same arching, lightly variegated foliage and is non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Generally safe for cats & dogs.

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Source evidence

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Syngonium podophyllum is a vining plant in the Araceae family, native to tropical regions of Latin America.

Cats & dogs page dogs page My cat ate Arrowhead Plant

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