Is Ivy (English) toxic to cats?
Yes — toxic. English ivy (Hedera helix) 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.
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Content compiled with reference to guidance from the Blue Cross, PDSA, Royal Veterinary College (RVC), Battersea, and Animal PoisonLine. This site does not provide veterinary advice — always consult a vet. Last reviewed: 27 September 2026.
Key facts
- Verdict: No — dangerous to cats. Ivy (English) should never be given deliberately.
- Category: Toxic garden plant
- Onset: Signs can start immediately — see the full timeline below.
- If it's already happened: Call your vet now, or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (24/7, charges apply) — see the emergency steps below.
If your cat has just eaten ivy (english)
- 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.
- Note how much was eaten and when, and keep the packaging or a photo of the plant/substance if you can.
- Call your vet immediately, even out of hours. Tell them your cat's weight, what they ate, and when.
- 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
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Cat owner essentials
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Questions owners ask
How much English ivy does it take to cause symptoms in a cat?
Even a small amount of chewed leaf can cause mouth pain and drooling immediately, because the saponins are irritant on contact rather than needing to be absorbed in quantity. Most cases are limited to oral irritation, vomiting, and diarrhoea within the first 12 hours and settle with basic supportive care, but call your vet if drooling or vomiting persists beyond a few hours or your cat won't eat.
Is ivy on my garden wall a genuine risk, or only indoor ivy houseplants?
Both carry the same risk — the toxic saponins are present in the leaves and vines regardless of whether the ivy is growing on an outdoor wall or trained as an indoor plant. Outdoor cats that regularly pass ivy-covered walls or fences are exposed the same way an indoor cat would be to a houseplant, so it's worth keeping both out of easy chewing reach.
Is Devil's ivy (pothos) the same risk as English ivy?
No, they're different plants with different toxic mechanisms, even though the names sound similar. English ivy (Hedera helix, covered here) causes irritation through saponins; pothos (Devil's ivy, Epipremnum aureum) works through calcium oxalate crystals, similar to ZZ plant or dieffenbachia. Both cause mouth pain and GI upset, but check our separate pothos entry if that's the plant involved, since the specific guidance differs slightly.
If your cat keeps returning to the wrong plant, a pet-safe plant deterrent spray can break the habit without harm.
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Related
Sources referenced for this guidance
- Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) — UK clinical toxicology reference used by vets
- International Cat Care — feline-specific clinical guidance
- BSAVA — British Small Animal Veterinary Association reference materials
- Merck Veterinary Manual — professional veterinary reference
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