# Is Calathea Makoyana Toxic to Cats? Safety Facts Is Calathea makoyana toxic to cats? No. The peacock plant (Calathea makoyana) is not considered toxic to cats, and it appears on the ASPCA list of plants that are non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses [1]. Calathea is widely mislabeled online as poisonous, which is why so many owners worry after their cat nibbles a leaf. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Calathea makoyana is non-toxic to cats according to the ASPCA, which lists Calathea species as safe for cats, dogs, and horses [1]. - Related Calathea and Maranta species, including Calathea insignis and Maranta insignis, are also listed as non-toxic to cats [2][3]. - Eating a leaf is unlikely to cause poisoning, but it can still cause stomach upset, drooling, or vomiting simply because plant material is hard for cats to digest. - If your cat chews a leaf, wipe out the mouth if needed, offer water, and watch for vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite over the next 24 hours. - Call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline if your cat develops repeated vomiting, seems painful, or stops eating. ## Is Calathea Makoyana Toxic to Cats? What the Safety Data Shows The short answer is no. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists Calathea species as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses [1]. That means there is no known toxic principle in the plant that would poison a cat, and no antidote is needed because there is nothing to counteract. Calathea makoyana belongs to the Marantaceae family, the same plant family as prayer plants. Other records in the same family follow the same pattern. Calathea insignis, also called Maranta insignis, is listed as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses [2][3]. This matters because owners often search for one cultivar name and find a record under a different scientific name. The safety conclusion does not change. ### Which Parts of the Plant Are Involved? The leaves, stems, and roots of Calathea makoyana are all considered non-toxic [1]. There is no part of the plant that carries a known poison for cats. This is different from plants where only the seeds or only the bulbs are dangerous. ### What About the Soil, Fertilizer, and Pesticides? The plant itself is safe, but the products around it may not be. Fertilizer spikes, systemic insecticides, and granular pesticides can cause serious signs if a cat eats them. If your cat digs in the pot and eats treated soil, the plant is not the concern. The chemical is. Call a veterinarian or poison hotline in that case. ### Is Calathea Makoyana the Same as a Toxic Look-Alike? Some houseplants that look similar to Calathea are genuinely dangerous. Plants in the Ericaceae family, such as Rhododendron and Pieris japonica, contain grayanotoxins and have caused poisoning in companion animals including cats [4]. Those plants look nothing like a peacock plant, but they can appear in the same home or garden. If you are unsure which plant your cat chewed, treat it as unknown and call for advice. You can also review [Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-toxic-to-cats) for a broader list. ## The Toxic Principle: Why Calathea Makoyana Does Not Poison Cats There is no toxic principle in Calathea makoyana. The ASPCA record lists no toxic principles and no clinical signs of poisoning for Calathea species [1]. That is the standard way the database reports a plant with no known toxin. This is worth understanding because most plant poisonings in cats come from plants that do contain specific chemical compounds. Plant poisonings in dogs and cats are most often caused by common ornamental garden and house plants, and the toxic principles involved include glycosides, alkaloids, oxalates, toxalbumins, saponins, and terpenes [5]. Examples include oleander, which contains cardiac glycosides called cardenolides that are toxic to many species [6]. Calathea does not contain any of these classes of compounds at levels that harm cats. ### What Happens If a Cat Eats a Leaf Anyway? A cat that eats a Calathea leaf is eating fiber and plant cell walls. Cats are obligate carnivores, so their digestive tract is not built to process large amounts of plant material. The result is usually mild stomach upset, not poisoning. You may see one episode of vomiting, some drooling, or a soft stool. Many cats show no signs at all. ### Why the Internet Says Calathea Is Toxic The confusion usually comes from three places. First, some lists group all houseplants together without checking species. Second, people confuse Calathea with plants that have similar common names. Third, some cats vomit after chewing any plant, and owners assume the plant is poisonous. A single vomit after chewing a leaf is not proof of toxicity. ## Signs to Watch For and Their Timeline Because Calathea makoyana is non-toxic, you should not expect poisoning signs [1]. What you might see is mechanical or digestive irritation. Signs to watch for include: - Drooling or lip smacking right after chewing - One or two episodes of vomiting within a few hours - Soft stool or mild diarrhea within 24 hours - Refusing food for a meal or two - Pawing at the mouth if a piece of leaf is stuck These signs are usually mild and short lived. They come from the plant material itself, not from a toxin. ### When Signs Do Not Fit the Non-Toxic Label If your cat has severe or repeated vomiting, bloody diarrhea, tremors, weakness, collapse, or trouble breathing, something else is going on. Possibilities include a different plant, a pesticide, a fertilizer, or an unrelated illness. Indoor plant poisoning is a real hazard for pets that spend most of their time inside, and the plants involved are often not the ones owners suspect [7]. Get veterinary help the same day. ### How Long Until You Can Relax If your cat chewed a Calathea leaf and is eating, drinking, and acting normal after 24 hours, poisoning is very unlikely. If mild vomiting happened once and stopped, keep watching for another day. Call your veterinarian if anything worsens. ## What to Do Right Now If Your Cat Chewed a Leaf Stay calm. This plant is not a poisoning emergency [1]. 1. Move the plant out of reach. 2. Look in your cat's mouth and remove any leaf fragment with your finger or a soft cloth. Do not put your hand deep into the mouth of a cat who may bite. 3. Offer fresh water. 4. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. 5. Note the time and how much your cat may have eaten. 6. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, or appetite loss for 24 hours. ### When to Call for Help Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 if: - Your cat vomited more than twice - Your cat seems painful in the belly - Your cat will not eat or drink - You are not sure which plant was chewed - You think fertilizer or pesticide was involved A consultation fee may apply for poison control services. Have your cat's weight, age, and a photo of the plant ready. ### What Not to Do Do not give milk, oil, hydrogen peroxide, or home remedies. Do not force your cat to eat or drink. Do not wait until morning if your cat looks sick. If you are unsure whether a plant is safe, browse [What Plants Can Be Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-plants-can-be-toxic-to-cats) while you make the call. ## Veterinary Treatment If Your Cat Is Unwell If your cat is showing signs, your veterinarian will start with a physical exam and a history. They will ask what plant was chewed, how much, and when. Bring a photo or a cutting of the plant if you can. ### Supportive Care For mild stomach upset, treatment is usually supportive. That may include fluids under the skin or into a vein, an anti-nausea medication, and a bland diet for a day or two. Your veterinarian calculates any medication dose from your cat's weight and health, so never use a leftover prescription from another pet. ### Testing If the story does not match a non-toxic plant, your veterinarian may run blood work to check organ function and electrolytes. They may also test for other causes of vomiting. Plant poisoning in cats is less common than in livestock, but it does happen, and many cases involve ornamental plants that owners did not realize were dangerous [5]. An Italian survey of plant exposures in pets found that most cases had mild to moderate signs, and a small share were fatal [8]. That is why a clear plant identification matters. ### Decontamination Decontamination is rarely needed for Calathea because there is no toxin to remove [1]. If a different toxic plant or a chemical was involved, your veterinarian may give activated charcoal or perform other decontamination steps. Never do this at home on your own. ## Outlook After a Calathea Chew The outlook is excellent. Cats that chew a non-toxic Calathea leaf and show no signs need no treatment [1]. Cats with mild stomach upset usually recover within a day or two with simple care. There are no known long-term effects from eating this plant. The outlook changes if the real exposure was something else. If a cat ate a toxic plant or a pesticide, the prognosis depends on the substance, the amount, and how fast treatment started. That is why identifying the plant correctly is the most useful thing you can do. ## Prevention and Safer Alternatives You do not need to rehome your peacock plant. You do need a plan so your cat stops chewing it. ### Simple Prevention Steps - Place Calathea makoyana on a shelf or hanging planter your cat cannot reach. - Use a wide, heavy pot so it cannot be tipped. - Offer cat grass or a catnip plant as a safe chewing option. - Give your cat more playtime and vertical space to reduce boredom chewing. - Check every new plant against a reliable list before you bring it home. ### Safe Plant Choices Calathea and Maranta species are good choices for cat households because they are listed as non-toxic to cats [1][2][3]. Other non-toxic options exist, but always verify the exact species. Common names vary by region, and two plants with the same nickname can have very different safety profiles. If you want a visual reference, see [What Plants Are Toxic To Cats With Pictures](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-plants-are-toxic-to-cats-with-pictures). ### Plants to Keep Out of Reach Keep lilies, oleander, Rhododendron, Pieris, cycads, and Euphorbia species away from cats [4][5][6]. These are well-documented causes of serious poisoning in pets. Indoor cats are at risk because they share close quarters with houseplants all day [7]. If you keep cut flowers in the house, check [Flowers That Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-that-are-toxic-to-cats) before you arrange them. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian No article can examine your cat. Individual cases need a veterinarian who can see your pet, ask questions, and decide on testing or treatment. Call your veterinarian the same day if your cat vomited more than once, has diarrhea, is drooling heavily, or is eating less than usual. Go to an emergency clinic now if your cat is struggling to breathe, collapsing, having tremors or seizures, has a swollen or painful belly, or is unresponsive. Schedule a routine visit if your cat keeps chewing plants, has lost weight, or has repeated mild stomach upset over weeks. Your veterinarian can check for other causes and help you cat-proof your home. If you are not sure what your cat ate, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away. A consultation fee may apply. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is Calathea makoyana toxic to cats? No. The ASPCA lists Calathea species as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, so the plant does not contain a known poison for cats [1]. A cat that chews a leaf may have mild stomach upset, but true poisoning is not expected. ### Is the peacock plant toxic to cats? No. The peacock plant is a common name for Calathea makoyana, which falls under the non-toxic Calathea listing [1]. Related species such as Calathea insignis and Maranta insignis are also listed as non-toxic to cats [2][3]. ### Can Calathea makoyana poisoning happen in cats? Poisoning from this plant is not expected because no toxic principle has been identified in Calathea species [1]. If your cat looks sick after chewing it, the cause is more likely a different plant, a pesticide, or an unrelated illness, so have your cat checked. ### What should I do if my cat eats a Calathea leaf? Remove any leaf pieces from the mouth, offer water, and watch for vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Call your veterinarian or a poison hotline if signs are severe or repeated. ### Are other Calathea varieties safe for cats? Yes. The ASPCA non-toxic listing covers Calathea species generally, and separate records for Calathea insignis and Maranta insignis also show non-toxicity to cats [1][2][3]. Always confirm the exact species name, since common names can be shared by toxic plants. ## Related Articles - [Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-toxic-to-cats) - [What Plants Can Be Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-plants-can-be-toxic-to-cats) - [Flowers That Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-that-are-toxic-to-cats) - [What Plants Are Toxic To Cats Indoor](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-plants-are-toxic-to-cats-indoor) - [What Plants Are Toxic To Cats With Pictures](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-plants-are-toxic-to-cats-with-pictures) - [Are Orchids Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-orchids-toxic-to-cats) - [Is Calathea Toxic to Cats and Dogs? Pet Safety](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/calathea-toxic-cats-dogs) - [Is Calathea Rufibarba Toxic to Cats? What to Know](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/calathea-rufibarba-toxic-cats) - [Is Rattlesnake Calathea Toxic to Cats? Plant Safety](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/rattlesnake-calathea-toxic-cats) ## References 1. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Calathea](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/calathea). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 2. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Calathea Lancifolia 3](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/calathea-lancifolia-3). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 3. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Calathea Lancifolia 2](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/calathea-lancifolia-2). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 4. [Grayanotoxin poisoning in animals following the ingestion of Ericaceae plants](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41544885/). Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997), 2026. 5. [Potential plant poisonings in dogs and cats in southern Africa](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19831265/). Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 2009. 6. [A Probable Fatal Case of Oleander (Nerium oleander) Poisoning on a Cattle Farm: A New Method of Detection and Quantification of the Oleandrin Toxin in Rumen](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31349685/). Toxins, 2019. 7. [Indoor Companion Animal Poisoning by Plants in Europe](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32851047/). Frontiers in veterinary science, 2020. 8. [Plant poisoning in domestic animals: epidemiological data from an Italian survey (2000-2011)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23716536/). The Veterinary record, 2013. ## Further Reading - [ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control) - [ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets) - [U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Potentially Dangerous Items for Your Pet](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/potentially-dangerous-items-your-pet)