Plant safety · 2 min read

Is Monstera (Swiss cheese plant) toxic to cats?

No — dangerous

Yes. Monstera deliciosa contains calcium oxalate crystals — similar to pothos and philodendron. Causes mouth pain, drooling, and swelling.

If your cat has just eaten monstera (swiss cheese plant)

  1. Rinse mouth with cool water if tolerated.
  2. Call your vet.
  3. Monitor for throat swelling.

What's the full picture?

Monstera (Monstera deliciosa) — the 'Swiss cheese plant' — is a popular UK houseplant containing insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense mouth pain when chewed.

Signs appear immediately: drooling, pawing at the mouth, and vomiting. Most cats drop the leaf quickly due to the pain, which limits how much they actually ingest.

Keep monstera on a high shelf or in a room cats don't access. If you're renting with a cat and don't want to rehome a monstera, elevated planters or wall-mounts work well.

Symptoms to watch for

Immediately
Drooling, pawing at mouth.
Within hours
Swelling, reduced appetite.

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.

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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