Plant safety for cats
Is croton (क्रोटन) toxic to cats?
MildNot on ASPCA's cat list — rated from other sources
Mildly — croton isn't on ASPCA's list, but Pet Poison Helpline says it causes mild drooling, vomiting or diarrhoea, and its sap in the eye is very painful.
Why mild: Mild mouth and stomach irritation; sap in the eye is very painful. Not on ASPCA's list.
- Name
- Crotonalso Garden croton, Joseph's coat
- Hindi
- क्रोटन
- Botanical name
- Codiaeum variegatum · Euphorbiaceae
- Other Indian names
- Bengaliপাতাবাহার (patabahar)
Toxic parts
All parts; the milky sap irritates skin and eyes.
What's in it
Diterpene esters in a milky sap.
How to recognise it
- Thick, leathery, glossy leaves splashed yellow, red, orange and green
- Leaf shapes vary — oval, lobed, narrow or twisted
- Milky sap
Look-alikes and name traps
Not the same as the Croton genus (e.g. jamalgota, Croton tiglium), a different and more toxic plant.
Symptoms to watch for
- Drooling
- Vomiting, diarrhoea
- Skin irritation
- A painful, red eye if sap gets in it
What to do
Usually settles on its own — but keep an eye on your cat.
- Take the plant away and note how much was chewed.
- Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea keeps going, your cat stops eating, or seems weak or wobbly.
- Don't make your cat vomit at home unless a vet tells you to.
- Sap in the eye: see a vet — it is painful.
Where Indian cats meet it
Very common in Indian gardens, temple compounds, offices and apartment lobbies.
Sources
- Pet Poison Helpline: Croton
- Pet Poison Helpline: Miniature croton
- NC State Plant Toolbox: Codiaeum variegatum (human toxicity data)
- ASPCA: Plants toxic and non-toxic to cats (full list)
Facts last checked
General information for cat parents, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. The facts come from ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, International Cat Care, the Merck Veterinary Manual and the other sources listed on every page — and we say so when the evidence comes from dogs or people. If your cat may have eaten something harmful, call your vet.
