What are the symptoms if a cat eats Sweet Pea?

Loss of appetite, Lethargy and weakness, Neuromuscular signs (stumbling, lameness, circling), Seizures

Caution Is Sweet Pea toxic to cats?

Sweet Pea

Q: Is Sweet Pea toxic to cats?

Caution: potentially harmful. Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is a fragrant climbing vine whose risk to cats is genuinely disputed: the ASPCA lists Sweet Pea (under Lathyrus latifolius) as non-toxic to cats, while Pet Poison Helpline treats sweet peas as toxic plants. The plant — especially its seeds and seed pods — contains beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), a lathyrogen neurotoxin that can cause "lathyrism" with weakness and neuromuscular signs after large or repeated ingestion, although documented poisonings involve mainly grazing animals and cat-specific cases are scarce. Because the danger cannot be ruled out, treat it with caution: a nibbled leaf is unlikely to harm a cat, but do not let cats chew the plant, and keep seeds and pods out of reach. Do not confuse it with the edible garden pea (Pisum sativum).

Lathyrus odoratus

Mostly fine, with one catch.

Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is a fragrant climbing vine whose risk to cats is genuinely disputed: the ASPCA lists Sweet Pea (under Lathyrus latifolius) as non-toxic…

StemEntire PlantSeedLeafFlower

Symptoms reported in cats

Most serious first.

1
Seizures Rare; reported with substantial ingestion. · Reported in severe cases across species; seek veterinary care immediately.
2
Lethargy and weakness Hours to days after ingestion. · Reflects the neuromuscular effects of the lathyrogen BAPN; documented mainly in grazing animals.
3
Neuromuscular signs (stumbling, lameness, circling) Delayed; associated with large or repeated ingestion. · Classic lathyrism-type signs; cat-specific reports are scarce.
4
Loss of appetite Hours after ingestion. · Listed by Pet Poison Helpline among the first signs after sweet pea ingestion in pets.

Important notes

Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is a fragrant climbing vine whose risk to cats is genuinely disputed: the ASPCA lists Sweet Pea (under Lathyrus latifolius) as non-toxic to cats, while Pet Poison Helpline treats sweet peas as toxic plants. The plant — especially its seeds and seed pods — contains beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), a lathyrogen neurotoxin that can cause "lathyrism" with weakness and neuromuscular signs after large or repeated ingestion, although documented poisonings involve mainly grazing animals and cat-specific cases are scarce. Because the danger cannot be ruled out, treat it with caution: a nibbled leaf is unlikely to harm a cat, but do not let cats chew the plant, and keep seeds and pods out of reach. Do not confuse it with the edible garden pea (Pisum sativum).

Authorities disagree: the ASPCA lists Sweet Pea (Lathyrus latifolius) as non-toxic to cats, while Pet Poison Helpline treats sweet peas (Lathyrus spp.) as toxic; this entry is graded cautious to reflect that uncertainty
Toxic compound: beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), a lathyrogen concentrated in seeds and seed pods; it inhibits lysyl oxidase (collagen/elastin cross-linking) and can cause neurolathyrism
Documented lathyrism cases involve mainly grazing animals after substantial or repeated ingestion; cat-specific poisoning data is scarce
Keep seeds and seed pods out of reach and discourage chewing; a single nibbled leaf is unlikely to cause harm
Contact a veterinarian if a cat eats seeds or pods, or shows weakness, stumbling, or other neuromuscular signs

Sources Reviewed · Entry ID sweet_pea

This summary was compiled from multiple sources and is for informational use only. It is not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Toxicity varies with the substance, amount, plant part and the individual cat. If you think your cat may have been exposed to a toxic substance, contact a veterinarian right away.