Plant safety · 2 min read

Is Ivy (English) toxic to cats?

No — dangerous

Yes — toxic. English ivy (<em>Hedera helix</em>) causes mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhoea in cats. Common on UK garden walls and as houseplant — keep cats away from chewing leaves or vines.

If your cat has just eaten ivy (english)

  1. Move your cat away from any remaining ivy. Do not try to make them vomit at home — this is dangerous in cats and rarely works.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and keep the packaging or a photo of the plant/substance if you can.
  3. Call your vet immediately, even out of hours. Tell them your cat's weight, what they ate, and when.
  4. If you can't reach your vet, call Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) — paid triage, 24/7 for guidance. They can advise on urgency and route you to emergency care.

What's the full picture?

English ivy (Hedera helix) grows on UK walls and in gardens. It contains irritant saponins that cause mouth pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea when chewed.

Devil's ivy (pothos) is a different plant — see the pothos page for that one.

Symptoms to watch for

Immediately
Drooling, pawing at mouth, vocalising from pain.
0–12 hours
Vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy.

If you're worried right now

Call your vet or out-of-hours emergency vet first. For poison advice, the Animal PoisonLine (UK) is on 01202 509000 — 24/7, charges apply. Your vet can also call the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) directly.

Holly no Mistletoe no Peace lilies no Philodendron no Pothos (devil's ivy) no

About this guidance

Every entry on this site is compiled from published UK veterinary toxicology sources — International Cat Care, Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) references, RCVS-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.

This is general information written for UK cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.

Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.

Last reviewed: · By the What Can My Cat Eat? editorial team

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