Are Begonias Poisonous to Cats?

With over 1,000 species, begonias are a familiar indoor plant. If you have a cat, you will want to keep begonias well out of your pet's reach because they are toxic to cats.

  1. Issues

    • Begonias, especially their tubers, contain oxalates. When a cat chews on a begonia or ingests any part of it, the oxalates cause tissue damage and pain.

    Symptoms

    • A cat that ingests portions of a begonia will display symptoms such as excessive drooling and signs of extreme irritation around its mouth. The cat could vomit and have difficulty swallowing.

    Treatment

    • At home, you can treat your cat by washing out its mouth to remove any remaining portions of the begonia. Contact your veterinarian immediately and, when you take the cat into the office, bring along the uneaten portion of the plant. This can help the veterinarian decide whether to induce vomiting or provide supportive care.