Fig
Ficus benjamina · Moraceae
How it looks
The Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) is an evergreen tree whose small, glossy oval leaves crowd densely along slender branches. The branches naturally droop and the plant is trained by pruning into bonsai or upright forms. It stands 3–10 ft (1–3 m) tall and is common indoors.
Mild caution — stomach irritation
All parts of Fig contain an irritating milky sap that can cause vomiting 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 Fig rarely leads to serious trouble, but its picrotoxin and irritant sap 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
- Right away to within 2 hours of ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, dermatitis, oral irritation
- Action
- Rinse the mouth with water and monitor. Consult a vet if symptoms last more than 12 hours.
Details
- Scientific name
- Ficus benjamina
- Common name
- Fig
- Family
- Moraceae
- Toxic parts
- All parts (latex)
- Compounds
- Picrotoxin, Latex
- Onset
- Right away to within 2 hours of ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, dermatitis, oral irritation
- Action
- Rinse the mouth with water and monitor. Consult a vet if symptoms last more than 12 hours.
- Source
- ASPCA
