# Is Digitalis Toxic to Cats? Foxglove Poisoning Signs Is digitalis toxic to cats? Yes. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is toxic to cats, and every part of the plant carries heart-active cardiac glycosides that can trigger dangerous heart rhythms, vomiting, and death [1]. Because cats are small and the toxins act on the heart, any suspected ingestion is a medical emergency, not a wait-and-see situation. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Foxglove is listed as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, with cardiac glycosides as the toxic principle [1]. - All parts of the plant are a concern, including leaves, flowers, and seeds, and dried plant material in floral arrangements still counts. - Early signs include vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness, and these can progress to cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac failure, and death [1]. - There is no safe home remedy. Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away. - Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian specifically tells you to. ## Is Digitalis Toxic to Cats? Yes. Digitalis purpurea, the common foxglove, is classified as toxic to cats [1]. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists the toxic principle as cardiac glycosides and the expected clinical signs as cardiac arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure, and death [1]. This matters because foxglove is a popular garden plant with tall spikes of bell-shaped flowers. It also shows up in cut flower bouquets. Cats who live indoors can still reach it if a bouquet sits on a counter or a vase gets knocked over. Foxglove belongs to the plant family Scrophulariaceae [1]. That family detail is useful when you are trying to identify a plant, because common names get confusing fast. Many plants are called "lily," and some of them, such as lily of the valley, contain cardiac glycosides similar to digitalis [2]. If you are sorting out which plants in your home are dangerous, our guide to [Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-toxic-to-cats) is a good starting point. ### Which Parts and Products Are Dangerous? The whole foxglove plant should be treated as toxic. That includes the leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds. Dried foxglove in a floral arrangement is still a risk, and so is water from a vase that held the stems. Foxglove is also a source of the human heart medication digoxin. That does not make the plant safe or medicinal for your cat. It means the plant contains compounds strong enough to change how a heart beats, which is exactly why accidental exposure is so serious. Keep in mind that cats can be extremely sensitive to plant toxins in general. With lilies of the genera Lilium and Hemerocallis, as little as 2 leaves or part of a single flower has resulted in deaths in cats [2]. That is a different toxin with a different target organ, but it shows how little plant material can matter in this species. You can read more in [Are Lilies Toxic to Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-lilies-toxic-to-cats). ## The Toxic Principle: What Cardiac Glycosides Do Cardiac glycosides are compounds that interfere with the heart's electrical and mechanical function. In a cat, that interference can show up as an abnormal heart rhythm, a heart rate that is too slow or too fast, or a heart that cannot pump effectively [1]. The ASPCA lists cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac failure among the expected signs of foxglove poisoning in cats [1]. The heart is not the only organ affected. Vomiting and diarrhea are common early signs, and weakness reflects how poorly the body is functioning overall [1]. These gastrointestinal signs often appear before the cardiac signs become obvious, which is one reason owners sometimes assume the cat just ate something that upset its stomach. Cardiac glycosides are not unique to foxglove. Lily of the valley (genus Convallaria) also contains potent cardiac glycosides similar to digitalis, and it causes toxic effects in cats even though it does not damage the kidneys the way true lilies do [2]. This is a helpful reminder that "safe-looking" garden plants can carry the same class of toxin. ## Foxglove Poisoning Signs in Cats and Their Timeline Signs can vary with how much plant material was eaten, how much was digested, and how quickly you get veterinary care. The signs listed by the ASPCA for foxglove toxicity are cardiac arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure, and death [1]. ### Early Signs - Vomiting - Diarrhea - Weakness or lethargy - Drooling or lip smacking (often seen with nausea in cats) - Not wanting to eat ### Later or More Serious Signs - Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) - Collapse or fainting - Difficulty breathing - Signs of heart failure - Death ### How Fast Do Signs Appear? The exact timeline for foxglove in cats is not well established in veterinary research, and it depends on the amount ingested and the individual cat. What is clear is that cardiac glycosides act on the heart, so signs can escalate quickly once they start [1]. Do not wait for a specific number of hours to pass before calling for help. For comparison, other toxins can produce severe signs within hours. In one reported case, a cat exposed to barium from black snake fireworks developed drooling, a slow heart rate, and respiratory distress, and became progressively less responsive in less than 10 hours [3]. That case involved a different toxin, but it illustrates how fast a small cat can decline. Treat any suspected foxglove ingestion as time-critical. ## What To Do Right Now 1. Move your cat away from the plant. Put the plant, the vase, or the chewed pieces in a sealed bag or container so you can describe or show what was eaten. 2. Call for help immediately. Contact your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. 3. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Making a cat vomit at home can cause aspiration, injury, or make a heart problem worse. 4. Do not give food, milk, oil, activated charcoal, or any home remedy. None of these are appropriate for cardiac glycoside exposure. 5. Bring the plant with you if you go to the clinic. Identification helps the veterinary team choose the right treatment. 6. Keep your cat calm and confined. Stress and exertion are hard on a heart that may already be struggling. If your cat is collapsed, struggling to breathe, or having seizures, go to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital now and call on the way. ## How Veterinarians Treat Foxglove Poisoning in Cats Treatment depends on how your cat looks when it arrives, how recently it ate the plant, and what its heart is doing. Your veterinarian will examine your cat, check its heart rate and rhythm, and may run blood work, an electrocardiogram, and imaging. If ingestion was very recent and your cat is stable, your veterinarian may induce vomiting in the clinic and give activated charcoal to limit further absorption. These steps are done under supervision because they carry their own risks. Supportive care usually includes intravenous fluids, medications to control nausea and vomiting, and treatments to manage abnormal heart rhythms. Some cats need oxygen therapy. The specific drugs and doses are chosen by your veterinarian based on your cat's weight, heart rhythm, and overall health. There is no single at-home dose or protocol that applies to every cat. If your cat ate foxglove and is already showing heart signs, hospitalization with continuous monitoring is often needed. Your veterinarian will decide how long based on how your cat responds. ## Outlook After Foxglove Exposure The outlook depends on how much was eaten, how quickly treatment started, and whether the heart rhythm can be controlled. The ASPCA lists cardiac failure and death as possible outcomes of foxglove toxicity in cats [1], so this is a genuinely serious exposure. Cats that receive prompt veterinary care and have only mild gastrointestinal signs often do well. Cats that develop significant arrhythmias or heart failure have a much more guarded prognosis. Your veterinarian is the only person who can give you a realistic picture for your individual cat after examining it and reviewing test results. ## Prevention and Safer Alternatives The simplest prevention is to keep foxglove out of your home and away from your cat. - Do not plant foxglove in a yard your cat can access. - Check bouquets before bringing them inside. Foxglove is a common cut flower. - Ask florists to confirm what is in an arrangement, and remove anything you cannot identify. - Keep cut flowers in a room your cat cannot enter, or skip them entirely. - Teach children and visitors not to bring garden flowers indoors without checking first. - If you garden, wear gloves and wash your hands after handling foxglove, and never compost it where a cat could dig. If you want flowers that are generally considered safer for cats, orchids are a common choice. You can read more in [Are Orchids Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-orchids-toxic-to-cats). For a broader list of what to avoid, see [Flowers That Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-that-are-toxic-to-cats) and [What Flowers Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-flowers-are-toxic-to-cats). ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian No article can tell you whether your specific cat ate enough foxglove to be in danger. That judgment requires a veterinarian who can examine your cat, check its heart, and run tests. Individual cases need a veterinarian. **Call an emergency veterinary hospital now if your cat:** - Is collapsed, unresponsive, or having seizures - Is breathing fast, hard, or with an open mouth - Has a very slow, very fast, or irregular heartbeat - Has fainted or cannot stand - Has repeated vomiting and cannot keep water down **Call your veterinarian or a poison control line the same day if your cat:** - Was seen chewing or eating any part of a foxglove plant - Has vomited or had diarrhea after possible plant exposure - Seems weak, quiet, or off its normal behavior - Ate plant material you cannot identify **Schedule a routine visit if:** - You are unsure whether a plant in your home is foxglove and want it identified - You want help choosing cat-safe plants for your home or garden - Your cat has a known heart condition and you want to review household risks When in doubt, call. Poison control lines exist for exactly this situation, and a quick call costs far less than waiting. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is foxglove the same as digitalis? Yes. Digitalis is the genus name for foxglove, and Digitalis purpurea is the common garden foxglove [1]. People often use the two names interchangeably, and both refer to the same toxic plant. ### Can a cat get sick from just chewing a foxglove leaf? Yes, chewing any part of the plant is a real exposure. The ASPCA lists the entire plant as toxic and does not describe a safe amount [1]. Call for guidance instead of watching for signs at home. ### Does dried foxglove in a bouquet still poison cats? Yes, dried plant material should be treated as toxic. The cardiac glycosides do not disappear when the plant dries out. Keep dried arrangements out of reach and call poison control if your cat chews one. ### Will my cat be okay if it only vomited once? You cannot assume that. Vomiting is one of the listed signs of foxglove toxicity, and cardiac signs can follow [1]. A single episode still warrants a call to your veterinarian or a poison control line. ### Are there cat-safe flowers I can keep instead? Some flowers are considered safer than foxglove, and orchids are a popular option for cat households. Check each plant against a reliable toxic plant list before bringing it home, and ask your veterinarian if you are unsure. ## Related Articles - [Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-toxic-to-cats) - [Flowers That Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-that-are-toxic-to-cats) - [Are Lilies Toxic to Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-lilies-toxic-to-cats) - [Are Orchids Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-orchids-toxic-to-cats) - [What Flowers Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-flowers-are-toxic-to-cats) - [Houseplants Toxic To Cats Reddit](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/houseplants-toxic-to-cats-reddit) - [Is Foxglove Poisonous to Cats? Cardiac Toxicity Signs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/foxglove-poisonous-cats) - [Is Taxus (Yew) Toxic to Cats? Signs and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/taxus-yew-toxic-cats) - [Is Oleander Toxic to Dogs and Cats? A Deadly Plant](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/oleander-toxic-dogs-cats) ## References 1. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Foxglove](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/foxglove). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 2. [Lily toxicity in the cat](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21147474/). Topics in companion animal medicine, 2010. 3. [Barium Toxicosis After Ingestion of Snake Fireworks in a Cat](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42204929/). Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001), 2026. ## 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)