Plant safety · 2 min read

Is Ivy (English) toxic to cats?

No — dangerous

Yes — toxic. English ivy (Hedera helix) causes mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea in cats. Common on American yard walls and as houseplant — keep cats away from chewing leaves or vines.

If your cat has just eaten ivy (english)

  1. Move your cat away from any remaining ivy. Do not try to make them vomit at home — this is dangerous in cats and rarely works.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and keep the packaging or a photo of the plant/substance if you can.
  3. Call your vet immediately, even out of hours. Tell them your cat's weight, what they ate, and when.
  4. If you can't reach your vet, call ASPCA Poison Control ((888) 426-4435) — paid triage, 24/7 for guidance. They can advise on urgency and route you to emergency care.

What's the full picture?

English ivy (Hedera helix) grows on US walls and in gardens. It contains irritant saponins that cause mouth pain, vomiting, and diarrhea when chewed.

Devil's ivy (pothos) is a different plant — see the pothos page for that one.

Symptoms to watch for

Immediately
Drooling, pawing at mouth, vocalising from pain.
0–12 hours
Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy.

If you're worried right now

Call your vet or out-of-hours emergency vet first. For poison advice, ASPCA Animal Poison Control (US) is on (888) 426-4435 — 24/7, charges apply. Your vet can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA APCC) directly.

Holly no Mistletoe no Peace lilies no Philodendron no Pothos (devil's ivy) no

About this guidance

Every entry on this site is compiled from published US veterinary toxicology sources — AAFP, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA APCC) references, AVMA-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.

This is general information written for US cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The ASPCA Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.

Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.

Last reviewed: · By the Cat Ate It editorial team

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