# Is Ivy Toxic to Dogs and Cats? What Owners Should Know Yes, ivy is toxic to dogs and cats. English ivy (Hedera helix) is the most common household and garden ivy, and every part of the plant contains compounds that can cause vomiting, drooling, abdominal pain, and diarrhea in pets [1]. Several other plants sold as "ivy" are also poisonous, though a few are not. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - English ivy is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principles are triterpenoid saponins, mainly hederagenin [1]. - The leaves and stems are more toxic than the berries, but all parts of the plant should be considered a risk [1]. - Common signs include vomiting, abdominal pain, drooling, and diarrhea [1]. - Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away if your pet chewed ivy. - Do not make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to. ## Is Ivy Toxic to Dogs and Cats? Yes. English ivy carries a toxic classification for dogs, cats, and horses [1]. It goes by many names, including branching ivy, glacier ivy, needlepoint ivy, sweetheart ivy, and California ivy. All of these are the same species, Hedera helix, in the Araliaceae family [1]. That matters because a plant label that says "sweetheart ivy" or "needlepoint ivy" will not sound like a warning. If you see any of those names on a tag, treat the plant the same way you would treat English ivy. ### Which Ivies Are Toxic? English ivy is the ivy most often found in American homes and yards, and it is the one with the clearest toxicity record for pets [1]. Other plants share the common name "ivy" but are not the same species. Some are toxic, and some are considered safe. If you are sorting through the plants in your home, a good starting point is our guide to [Common Houseplants Toxic to Cats and Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/common-houseplants-toxic-to-cats-and-dogs). It covers the plants that show up most often in poisoning calls. ### Which Parts of the Plant Are Toxic? The foliage is more toxic than the berries [1]. That is useful to know because pets are far more likely to chew a leaf or stem than to eat the berries. Still, berries are not safe, and a pet that eats a handful of them needs veterinary advice. Indoor ivy is often grown in hanging baskets or trained along a shelf. Cats can reach trailing vines by jumping, and dogs can reach low pots. Any part your pet can pull down and chew is a potential exposure. ## What Makes Ivy Poisonous? The toxic principles in English ivy are triterpenoid saponins, with hederagenin as the main one [1]. Saponins are soap-like compounds. When a pet chews the plant, these compounds irritate the mouth, stomach, and intestinal lining. That irritation is what drives the drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea you may see. Plant poisonings in pets are usually mild to moderate in outcome. In a 12-year review of plant poisoning calls, most exposures caused mild to moderate signs, and fatal poisoning accounted for 10.6 percent of the cases where an outcome was reported [2]. That number covers all plant exposures, not ivy alone, but it shows why plant ingestion deserves a phone call instead of a wait-and-see approach. Dogs are the species most often involved in plant poisoning calls, followed by cats [2]. Cats may be underreported because they often chew plants when owners are not watching. ## Signs of Ivy Poisoning in Dogs and Cats The classic signs of English ivy poisoning are vomiting, abdominal pain, drooling, and diarrhea [1]. You may see one sign or several. Some pets drool heavily before any vomiting starts. ### What to Watch For - Vomiting, sometimes repeated - Drooling or hypersalivation - Abdominal pain (your pet may guard the belly, pace, or whine) - Diarrhea - Refusing food or acting dull ### How Soon Do Signs Start? Signs usually appear within hours of chewing the plant. The timeline depends on how much was eaten and how sensitive your pet is. A cat that nibbles one leaf may drool and vomit once. A dog that strips a hanging basket may have repeated vomiting and diarrhea. If your pet chewed ivy and is showing no signs yet, that does not mean you should wait. Call for advice. A veterinarian can tell you what to watch for based on the amount and the time that has passed. ## What to Do Right Now If Your Pet Ate Ivy 1. Move your pet away from the plant and pick up any chewed pieces. 2. Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. 3. Have the plant name ready, plus your pet's weight, age, and any health conditions. 4. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. 5. Do not give food, milk, oil, or home remedies to "soak up" the plant. Do not make your pet vomit on your own. Vomiting can cause problems if the material is caustic or if your pet has a condition that makes vomiting risky. Let the veterinarian decide. If your pet is having trouble breathing, is collapsing, or has severe repeated vomiting, go to an emergency clinic now. ## How Veterinarians Treat Ivy Poisoning Treatment depends on the signs and how much time has passed. If your pet just ate the plant and a veterinarian decides it is safe, they may induce vomiting and give activated charcoal to limit absorption. That decision is made case by case. For most pets with mild signs, care is supportive. That can include fluids to replace losses from vomiting and diarrhea, medication to settle the stomach, and a bland diet once vomiting stops. Pain medication may be used if the abdomen is sore. There is no antidote for saponin poisoning. The body clears the compounds over time, and treatment focuses on keeping your pet comfortable and hydrated while that happens. If your pet has other plants at home, our article on [Plants Poisonous To Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-poisonous-to-dogs) can help you identify what else may be a risk. ## Outlook After Ivy Ingestion Most pets that eat a small amount of ivy do well with supportive care. In the broader plant poisoning data, most exposures caused mild to moderate signs [2]. Severe cases are more likely when a pet eats a large amount or has other health problems. The best predictor of outcome is how quickly you get veterinary advice. Early calls lead to earlier treatment and fewer surprises. ## Preventing Ivy Poisoning at Home The simplest fix is to remove English ivy from any area your pet can reach. If you love the look of trailing vines, choose a plant that is not toxic. Our guide to [Plants That Aren't Toxic To Cats And Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-that-aren-t-toxic-to-cats-and-dogs) lists safe options for indoor containers. Other steps that help: - Hang baskets high enough that a cat cannot reach them from a counter or shelf. - Keep ivy out of floor pots in rooms where your dog spends time. - Check plant tags for the names branching ivy, glacier ivy, needlepoint ivy, sweetheart ivy, and California ivy [1]. - Offer safe chewing outlets, such as cat grass or a sturdy chew toy, so your pet has something else to mouth. - Block outdoor ivy ground cover with a low fence or keep your dog on a leash away from it. If you have a cat that chews plants, our article on [Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-toxic-to-cats) covers the species that cause the most trouble indoors. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article covers common ivies, but plant identification from a photo or a description is not always exact. If you are not sure what your pet ate, treat it as a possible poisoning and call for advice. Individual cases need a veterinarian who can examine your pet and ask questions about the exposure. Call the same day if your pet chewed ivy and has vomited once, is drooling, has diarrhea, or is eating less than usual. Go to an emergency clinic now if your pet has repeated vomiting, cannot keep water down, has a swollen or painful belly, is weak or wobbly, is breathing hard, or is unresponsive. Call for a routine visit if your pet chewed a small amount of ivy days ago and seems completely normal. Your veterinarian can check for any lingering issues and help you pet-proof the house. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is English ivy toxic to dogs and cats? Yes. English ivy is classified as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses [1]. The leaves and stems are more toxic than the berries, but all parts of the plant should be kept away from pets [1]. ### Is ivy poisonous to dogs and cats if they only chew one leaf? A single chewed leaf can still cause drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea, especially in a small pet. Call your veterinarian or a poison control line for advice based on your pet's size and how much you think was eaten. ### What are the first signs of ivy poisoning in a cat? Drooling and vomiting are often the first signs. Abdominal pain and diarrhea can follow [1]. Cats may also hide or refuse food when they feel sick. ### Can ivy kill a dog or cat? Serious outcomes are possible but uncommon with small exposures. In plant poisoning data, most cases caused mild to moderate signs, and fatal poisoning accounted for 10.6 percent of cases with a reported outcome [2]. Quick veterinary care improves the odds. ### Should I make my pet vomit after eating ivy? No. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 and follow their instructions. ## Related Articles - [Common Houseplants Toxic to Cats and Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/common-houseplants-toxic-to-cats-and-dogs) - [Plants That Aren't Toxic To Cats And Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-that-aren-t-toxic-to-cats-and-dogs) - [Are Orchids Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-orchids-toxic-to-cats) - [Plants Poisonous To Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-poisonous-to-dogs) - [Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-toxic-to-cats) - [Are Lilies Toxic to Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-lilies-toxic-to-cats) - [Is Ivy Toxic to Cats? English, Devil's and Swedish Ivy](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/is-ivy-toxic-to-cats) - [Is English Ivy Toxic to Dogs? Signs and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/english-ivy-toxic-dogs) - [Is Hedera Ivy Toxic to Cats? English Ivy Poisoning](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/hedera-ivy-toxic-cats) ## References 1. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: English Ivy](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/english-ivy). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 2. [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: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants) - [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)