Is Pothos Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
Short answer: yes. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum, also sold as devil's ivy or golden pothos) is toxic to both cats and dogs per the ASPCA. It's rarely life-threatening, but it causes real, immediate mouth pain — and because pothos is one of the most common houseplants on earth, it's one of the most common pet-plant calls too. Here's what to watch for and what to do.
Quick verdict
Toxic? Yes — to cats and dogs (ASPCA-listed).
How bad? Usually mild to moderate. The mouth pain is sharp and immediate, but serious cases are uncommon.
Toxic part & why: the whole plant — leaves, stems and sap contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that physically embed in the mouth and throat tissue.
What is pothos, exactly?
Pothos is Epipremnum aureum — a trailing vine with glossy, heart-shaped leaves, usually variegated in gold, white or lime. It goes by devil's ivy, golden pothos, money plant, and marble queen. Here's the confusing part: pothos is routinely mistaken for heartleaf philodendron (also toxic, same reason) and for Pilea "money plant" (pet-safe). If you're not sure which trailing plant you own, confirm the species before you decide anything about safety.
- Intense oral burning & pawing at the mouth — the calcium-oxalate crystals cause immediate pain, so pets often paw their face or shake their head
- Drooling — heavy, sudden
- Vomiting and decreased appetite
- Difficulty or pain swallowing
- Swelling of the lips, tongue or mouth — in rare, severe cases this can affect breathing and is an emergency
The pain is usually immediate, which — grim silver lining — means most pets stop chewing quickly and don't eat a large amount.
What to do if your pet ate pothos
- Rinse their mouth gently with water if they'll let you, and wipe away any plant bits. This helps flush the crystals.
- Offer something cold — a little milk, yogurt, or cold water can ease the oral burning.
- Note how much they ate and when.
- Call your vet, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). Say the name: "Epipremnum aureum, pothos."
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to.
- Go in immediately if you see mouth swelling, trouble breathing, or repeated vomiting.
Not sure it's actually pothos?
Pothos, philodendron and Pilea all look alike — and only one is pet-safe. Snap a photo and Nature Lenz names the exact species in seconds, so you know if it's on the toxic list. Free, no paywall.
Get the free app →Pet-safe plants to keep instead
You don't have to give up greenery. These are non-toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA:
For the full picture, see our cat-safe houseplants verified against the ASPCA and how to identify toxic plants for dogs and cats.
The bottom line
Pothos is a genuinely toxic plant that happens to be everywhere. It won't usually put a healthy pet in danger, but the oral pain is real and repeat chewers can get sick. Hang it high, keep trailing vines off the floor, and if your cat is a determined climber, swap it for a spider plant — nearly identical trailing habit, completely non-toxic.
FAQs
Can pothos kill a cat?
It's very unlikely to be fatal to a healthy cat. Pothos toxicity is usually mild to moderate — mouth pain, drooling and vomiting that resolve with supportive care. The rare emergency is significant mouth or throat swelling that affects breathing, which needs a vet immediately.
Why does my cat's mouth hurt after chewing pothos?
Pothos contains insoluble calcium oxalates — microscopic needle-shaped crystals that physically stab into the soft tissue of the mouth and throat when chewed. That's why the pain is instant and pets paw at their face. It's mechanical irritation, not a slow-acting poison.
Is pothos toxic to dogs too?
Yes. The ASPCA lists Epipremnum aureum as toxic to both cats and dogs, with the same symptoms: oral irritation, intense burning, drooling, pawing at the mouth, and vomiting.
My cat only licked a pothos leaf — should I worry?
A single lick or tiny nibble usually causes only mild drooling, if anything, because the pain stops most pets fast. Watch for a few hours. If drooling is heavy, the mouth looks swollen, or vomiting repeats, call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
What safe plant looks like pothos?
Spider plant is the closest safe match — same easy trailing habit and variegation, and it's non-toxic to cats and dogs. Peperomia and Swedish ivy are other pet-safe trailing options.