Anthuriums are toxic to cats and should be treated as unsafe houseplants around pets.

Quick Scoop

  • Yes, anthuriums are toxic to cats because they contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in the leaves, stems, and flowers.
  • When chewed or eaten, these sharp crystals irritate a cat’s mouth, tongue, and digestive tract, causing pain and inflammation.
  • Most cases cause intense discomfort rather than death, but severe swelling and difficulty breathing can occur, so they are not safe to keep within reach.

What happens if a cat bites an anthurium?

  • Common signs include:
    • Drooling and foamy saliva
    • Pawing at the mouth or face
    • Swollen lips, tongue, or mouth
    • Vomiting and decreased appetite
    • Vocalizing from oral pain
  • Rarely, swelling can affect the airway and cause trouble breathing, which is an emergency situation.

What to do if your cat chews one

  1. Gently remove any plant pieces from the cat’s mouth if it is safe to do so.
  2. Rinse the mouth with cool water (a syringe or spoonfuls, if your cat allows) to help flush crystals away.
  1. Contact your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline immediately and follow their guidance, especially if there is swelling, vomiting, or breathing changes.

How to keep cats safe

  • Keep anthuriums completely out of reach or in rooms your cat cannot access, or avoid having them at all in multi-pet homes.
  • Choose pet-safe alternatives (such as spider plant, some ferns, or areca palm) to reduce risk while still greening your space.
  • Supervise curious cats closely around any new plant and assume any aroid-type plant (same family as anthurium) may be hazardous.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.