Pothos / Devil’s Ivy

Symptoms reported in cats

Most serious first.

1. 1
   Swelling of the mouth and tongue, accompanied by difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) Immediate to shortly after exposure · The localized inflammatory response can cause the cat's mouth and tongue to become significantly swollen23. In severe cases, this swelling can progress to the throat and potentially obstruct the cat's airway, which requires immediate veterinary attention.
2. 2
   Intense burning, irritation, and pain of the mouth, lips, and tongue Immediate · This immediate and intense pain occurs because Pothos contains microscopic, needle-like insoluble calcium oxalate crystals (raphides)12. When a cat bites or chews the leaves or stems, these crystals are forcefully ejected directly into the oral mucosa.
3. 3
   Excessive drooling or hypersalivation Immediate · This is a direct physical and inflammatory response to the microscopic trauma and irritation caused by the oxalate crystals piercing the cat's mouth.
4. 4
   Vomiting Shortly after ingestion · While the systemic toxicity of Pothos is relatively low and not typically life-threatening, the ingestion of the plant material and the resulting irritation cause extreme gastrointestinal discomfort and stomach upset.

Important notes

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), also known as Devil's Ivy, is a very common houseplant with long, trailing vines. It is not safe for cats, especially since its hanging leaves are often tempting for curious pets to play with and chew. The main danger comes from tiny, sharp needles inside the plant's cells called insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. When a cat bites into the leaves or stems, these microscopic needles shoot out and stab the tissues of the mouth, tongue, and throat. This causes sudden and sharp pain rather than a body-wide illness. Because the pain happens right away, most cats stop chewing before they eat a large amount. If a cat bites a pothos plant, they may start drooling heavily, paw at their mouth in pain, or vomit. You might also see swelling around their lips, mouth, and tongue. In severe cases, the swelling can make it hard for the cat to swallow. Move trailing vines completely out of reach, and contact a veterinarian if the swelling is bad or if your cat has trouble swallowing.

• Main hazard: Insoluble calcium oxalate raphides in the leaves and stems irritate the mouth and throat when chewed.
• Symptoms: Sudden mouth pain, heavy drooling, pawing at the mouth, swollen lips or tongue, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
• Access risk: Trailing vines are easy for cats to reach when they hang over shelves, tables, or plant stands.
• Action: Move the plant out of reach, offer water or gently rinse the mouth if safe, and contact a vet if swelling or swallowing trouble appears.