English Ivy & Cats

English ivy, a common houseplant, is poisonous to cats. Rush the cat to your local veterinarian if he eats the leaves or berries. Take a sample of the plant with you for identification.

  1. Symptoms

    • Vomiting, diarrhea and excessive salivation are all symptoms of poisoning in cats.

    Treatment

    • If you suspect your cat has eaten English ivy, take the cat to your local veterinarian immediately. If you cannot reach your veterinarian, contact the ASPCA 24-hour emergency poison hotline at (888) 426-4435 for guidance. This service is not free. You will need a credit card for the consultation fee.

    English Ivy

    • English Ivy (Hedera helix) is known by many names: sweetheart ivy, needlepoint ivy, glacier ivy and California ivy. The foliage is more toxic than the berries. Once popular as a landscaping plant, this invasive ivy is more commonly seen indoors now and is frequently used in topiaries.

    Precautions

    • If you have existing English ivy, mist the leaves of the plant with water and sprinkle them with cayenne pepper. The pepper will repel your cat. If possible, position the ivy out of the cat's reach, in a hanging basket or on an inaccessible windowsill. When leaves fall to the ground, pick them up quickly and discard. As a diversion, plant a container of regular grass seed specifically for your cat or buy a cat-safe potted herb garden from your local pet store.

    Substitutions

    • When possible, purge all English ivy from the home. Grape ivy (Venezuela treebine) is a cascading substitution for English ivy that is non-toxic to cats. Swedish ivy (Plectranthus australis) is also considered safe. Either can take the place of English ivy in houseplants or topiaries.