English Ivy
Hedera helix · Araliaceae
How it looks
English Ivy is a plant with star- or heart-shaped leaves split into 3-5 lobes, growing as a vine. Cultivars with white or yellow variegation on dark-green leaves are also common. It climbs walls and supports and is also grown as a hanging plant.
Caution — monitor for GI symptoms
The leaves and fruit of English Ivy contain irritating compounds that can cause vomiting, heavy drooling, and diarrhea if chewed. Most cats recover on their own, but as a caution-level plant it still calls for monitoring.
Guide for parents
An occasional nibble on English Ivy rarely leads to serious trouble, but its hederagenin and polyacetylenes can irritate the stomach and mucous membranes, causing mild gastrointestinal upset. Make a habit of clearing away fallen leaves and broken stems the same day, and keep the pot somewhere your cat can't reach. If symptoms last more than 12 hours or your cat shows a marked loss of appetite, consult your vet.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, diarrhea
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
Details
- Scientific name
- Hedera helix
- Common name
- English Ivy
- Family
- Araliaceae
- Toxic parts
- Leaves, Fruit
- Compounds
- Hederagenin, Polyacetylenes
- Onset
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, diarrhea
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
- Source
- ASPCA
