# Is Lantana Poisonous to Cats? Signs and Treatment Is lantana poisonous to cats? Yes. Lantana camara is toxic to cats, and every part of the plant carries the poison, though the unripe berries are the part cats most often eat [1]. Even a small taste can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and larger amounts can damage the liver. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Lantana camara is listed as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center [1]. - The toxic compounds are pentacyclic triterpenoids, and the unripe berries hold the highest concentration [1]. - Common early signs are vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and labored breathing [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 cat ate any part of the plant. - Do not make your cat vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to. ## Is Lantana Camara Toxic to Cats? Lantana camara goes by several names. You may see it labeled shrub verbena, yellow sage, or red sage at the garden center [1]. It belongs to the Verbenaceae family and grows as a shrubby plant with clusters of small flowers that shift color as they age, often yellow to orange to pink or red. It thrives in warm climates, which is why it shows up so often in yards across the southern United States, California, and other frost-free regions. The ASPCA classifies Lantana camara as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses [1]. That classification covers the whole plant, not one isolated part. Leaves, stems, flowers, and berries all contain the toxic principle [1]. The berries are the biggest concern for cats because they are small, round, and look like something worth batting around or tasting. One naming trap is worth clearing up. There is a plant called wild lantana, scientific name Abronia fragrans, also known as sand verbena or prairie snowball [2]. Despite the shared common name, wild lantana is a completely different plant in a different family, and the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses [2]. If you are trying to identify what your cat chewed on, the scientific name matters more than the common name. Lantana camara is the one to worry about. If you are sorting through other plants in your home or yard, our guide to [plants toxic to cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-toxic-to-cats) covers the common offenders, and [flowers that are toxic to cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-that-are-toxic-to-cats) focuses on blooms that cause problems. ## Are Lantana Flowers Toxic to Cats? Yes, the flowers are toxic along with the rest of the plant [1]. People sometimes assume the flowers are safe because they are the showy, decorative part, but the ASPCA toxicity listing applies to the plant as a whole [1]. A cat that nibbles a flower head is still exposed to the same pentacyclic triterpenoids found in the leaves and stems [1]. That said, the flowers are not the most dangerous part. The unripe berries are. They are green, fleshy, and roughly pea-sized, and they develop after the flowers fade. Ripe berries turn dark purple or black. Cats are curious, and a cluster of small round objects at nose level is easy to swat, mouth, or swallow. This is the exposure scenario veterinarians see most often with lantana. ## What Makes Lantana Poisonous? The toxic principles in Lantana camara are pentacyclic triterpenoids [1]. These compounds, often called lantadenes, are the reason the plant is classified as toxic. They are present across the plant's tissues, and the concentration tends to be highest in the leaves and unripe fruit. Lantana leaves also contain a wide range of other natural compounds, including terpenoids, flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, and phenolic acids [3]. Those compounds are the subject of research into antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activity in laboratory settings [3]. That research is about extracted plant chemicals tested in cells, not about cats eating garden plants. Do not read a lab finding as a reason to let your cat near lantana. ### What Lantadene Does in the Body Once swallowed, lantadene compounds irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines. That irritation is what drives the vomiting and diarrhea that show up first [1]. When a larger dose is absorbed, the liver takes the hit. The liver processes these compounds, and in heavy exposures it can be injured badly enough to fail. Liver failure is described as more common in livestock, which graze on lantana in large amounts over time [1]. Cats are smaller and usually eat far less, so severe liver damage is less typical in pets than in cattle. It is still possible, and it is the outcome that makes lantana a genuine emergency instead of a minor stomach upset. ## Signs of Lantana Poisoning in Cats The ASPCA lists vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, and weakness as the clinical signs of lantana toxicosis [1]. In practice, these signs tend to appear in a rough order. ### Early Signs - Vomiting - Diarrhea - Drooling or lip smacking - Pawing at the mouth - Refusing food - Acting quiet or withdrawn ### Signs That Worry a Veterinarian Most - Weakness or wobbliness - Fast, noisy, or labored breathing [1] - Pale or yellowish gums - Collapse - Confusion or unresponsiveness Yellowing of the gums, skin, or the whites of the eyes points to liver trouble and needs emergency care. Labored breathing is listed as a sign of lantana poisoning, and in a cat it can escalate quickly [1]. ### How Fast Do Signs Show Up? Most cats that eat an irritating plant start vomiting or having diarrhea within a few hours. Gastrointestinal signs are the earliest and most common. Liver-related signs develop more slowly, often over one to several days, because liver injury builds as the organ struggles to clear the toxin. A cat that seems fine right after eating lantana can still get sick later, so a normal first hour is not proof that nothing happened. ## Will Cats Eat Lantana? Some cats will, yes. Cats are not usually plant eaters the way dogs or livestock are, but they do chew on houseplants and garden plants out of curiosity, boredom, or an attempt to settle an upset stomach. Lantana's unripe berries are the real draw. They are small, they cluster, and they sit at a height a cat can reach. Outdoor cats and cats with access to a patio, screen room, or yard are at higher risk. Indoor cats can be exposed too if lantana comes inside as a cut arrangement or a potted plant. If your cat has a habit of chewing plants, assume lantana is not safe to keep within reach. Our article on [houseplants toxic to cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/houseplants-toxic-to-cats-reddit) is a useful starting point for auditing what you keep indoors. ## What to Do Right Now If you saw your cat eat lantana, or you found chewed leaves or missing berries, act immediately. Do not wait for signs to appear. 1. Move your cat away from the plant and remove any plant material from its mouth if you can do so safely. 2. Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. These services are staffed around the clock and can tell you whether the amount eaten is dangerous. 3. Save a sample of the plant, including leaves, flowers, or berries, or take a photo. Identification helps the veterinarian plan treatment. 4. Note the time of exposure and roughly how much you think your cat ate. 5. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Making a cat vomit at home can cause aspiration, choke the airway, or worsen injury if the plant is caustic. If your cat is already vomiting repeatedly, breathing hard, or too weak to stand, skip the phone call and go straight to an emergency clinic. Have someone call the poison control line on the way. ## How Veterinarians Treat Lantana Poisoning Treatment depends on how much your cat ate, how long ago it happened, and how sick it is when it arrives. ### Decontamination If your cat was seen within a short window and is stable, a veterinarian may induce vomiting in the clinic under controlled conditions, then give activated charcoal to bind whatever remains in the stomach. This is a decision made by the veterinarian after assessing your cat. It is not something to attempt at home. ### Supportive Care Most treatment is supportive, meaning it manages the signs while the body clears the toxin. - Intravenous fluids to correct dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea - Anti-nausea medication to stop vomiting and let the gut rest - Medications to protect the stomach lining - A bland, easy-to-digest diet once eating resumes - Blood work to check liver values, kidney values, and electrolytes ### Monitoring the Liver Because lantana can injure the liver, your veterinarian will likely run blood work at the start and repeat it over the following days. Liver enzymes and bilirubin tell the story. If those numbers climb, your cat may need a longer hospital stay, additional fluids, and medications that support liver function. Oxygen support is added if breathing is labored [1]. The exact drugs, fluid rates, and doses are calculated by your veterinarian based on your cat's weight, blood work, and overall health. There is no home remedy that substitutes for this care. ## Outlook After Lantana Exposure The outlook is good for cats that eat a small amount and get prompt care. Vomiting and diarrhea usually settle within a day or two with fluids and anti-nausea treatment. Cats that receive care early tend to do well. The outlook is more guarded when a large amount was eaten, when treatment is delayed, or when liver damage has already started. Liver failure is the complication that makes lantana dangerous, and it is described as more common in livestock than in pets [1]. In cats, significant liver injury is uncommon but serious when it happens. Cats that develop yellow gums, weakness, or labored breathing need aggressive care and a longer recovery. ## Prevention and Safer Alternatives The simplest prevention is to keep lantana out of your cat's reach. If you garden in a warm climate, plant lantana where your cat cannot get to it, or skip it entirely if your cat goes outside. - Remove lantana berries before they form if you keep the plant, and bag them for the trash. - Do not bring cut lantana flowers indoors. - Supervise outdoor cats in yards with lantana. - Check potted plants before bringing them home, and read the plant tag for the scientific name. - Offer cat-safe greenery such as cat grass or catnip so your cat has something appropriate to chew. If you are choosing new plants, our guide to [flowers toxic to cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-toxic-to-cats) can help you avoid other risky blooms, and [are snake plants toxic to cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-snake-plants-toxic-to-cats) answers a common question about a popular houseplant. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article covers general information about lantana toxicity. It cannot tell you whether your individual cat was exposed to a dangerous amount, and it cannot replace an examination. Every case needs a veterinarian who can assess your cat in person. Contact a veterinarian the same day if your cat ate any part of a lantana plant, even if it seems fine. Early decontamination and monitoring are easier than treating a sick cat later. Go to an emergency clinic now if your cat is vomiting repeatedly, has diarrhea that will not stop, is breathing hard or fast, is weak or wobbly, has collapsed, or has yellow gums, skin, or eyes [1]. Schedule a routine visit if your cat had a possible exposure days ago and now seems slightly off, is eating less, or is more tired than usual. Blood work can check the liver even when signs are mild. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is lantana poisonous to cats? Yes, Lantana camara is toxic to cats. Every part of the plant contains pentacyclic triterpenoids, and the unripe berries are the most concentrated and most tempting part for a cat to eat. ### Are lantana berries more dangerous than the leaves? The unripe berries are the biggest concern because they are small, clustered, and easy for a cat to swallow. The leaves and stems are also toxic, so any part of the plant your cat chews on is a problem. ### How long after eating lantana will my cat get sick? Vomiting and diarrhea usually start within a few hours. Liver-related signs can take one to several days to appear, so a cat that looks normal right after eating lantana still needs veterinary attention. ### Can a cat survive lantana poisoning? Many cats do recover, especially with early treatment. The risk goes up when a large amount was eaten or when care is delayed, because liver damage is the most serious complication. ### Should I make my cat throw up after eating lantana? No, do not induce vomiting at home unless a veterinarian tells you to. Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 and follow their instructions. ## Related Articles - [Flowers That Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-that-are-toxic-to-cats) - [Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-toxic-to-cats) - [Houseplants Toxic To Cats Reddit](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/houseplants-toxic-to-cats-reddit) - [Are Snake Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-snake-plants-toxic-to-cats) - [Flowers Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-toxic-to-cats) - [What Plants Are Toxic To Cats Indoor](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/what-plants-are-toxic-to-cats-indoor) - [Is Lantana Poisonous to Dogs? Symptoms and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/lantana-poisonous-to-dogs) - [Is Holly Toxic to Cats? Berries, Leaves, and Signs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/holly-toxic-cats) - [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: Lantana](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/lantana). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 2. [Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Wild Lantana](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/wild-lantana). ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 3. [Comparative LC-LTQ-MS-MS Analysis of the Leaf Extracts of Lantana camara and Lantana montevidensis Growing in Egypt with Insights into Their Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Cytotoxic Activities](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35807651/). Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 2022. ## 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)