Is english ivy toxic to cats?
Hedera helix
Yes. English ivy is toxic to cats, graded medium severity by NC State Extension. The agent is triterpenoid saponins. Call your vet if a cat has eaten any.
- Take any remaining plant material out of their mouth and rinse the mouth with water.
- Call someone. Your own vet first. Otherwise ASPCA Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 — both charge a fee.
- Take a photo of the plant, and note roughly how much was eaten and when. It is the first thing you will be asked.
- Do not make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to.
What it does, and why
The agent is triterpenoid saponins.
A saponin subclass concentrated in the leaves and berries, irritating both the gut lining and skin on contact.
Gut upset after eating; contact dermatitis in people who prune it bare-handed.
Worth watching for. Berries carry more than leaves, so a berry-eating dog is the higher-dose case.
Reported signs
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- excessive salivation
- diarrhoea
Signs as listed by the ASPCA under Hedera helix. Not every animal shows all of them.
What each authority says
- ASPCA
- Toxic to cats and dogs · triterpenoid saponins
- NC State Extension
- Poison severity: Medium · Triterpenoid saponins and polyacetylene compounds
What to keep instead
Species in this database listed non-toxic to cats and dogs, chosen for a similar look or similar care rather than at random.
| Plant | Family | Water | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wax plantHoya carnosa | Apocynaceae | 10–18d | 2/5 |
| Baby rubber plantPeperomia obtusifolia | Piperaceae | 9–14d | 1/5 |
| Chinese money plantPilea peperomioides | Urticaceae | 6–11d | 2/5 |
Swapping the plant is the only measure that reliably works. Height and hanging baskets buy less time than people expect with a determined cat.
The other animal
Looking for dogs? See is english ivy toxic to dogs. Full care details are on the english ivy species entry.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Hedera helix Checked 2026-09-11.
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Hedera helix Checked 2026-09-11.
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Plants of the World Online — Hedera helix Accepted name and family. Checked 2026-09-11.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435 — emergency line, fee applies
Compiled and edited by Tony Valcarcel · 2026-09-11
Tony Valcarcel is the editor and publisher of this database, not a veterinarian.
Severity is reproduced from the authority that published it and is never
originated here. How this is sourced.
This page is a reference, not a diagnosis. In an emergency, call rather than read.