Plant safety for cats
Is monstera (मॉन्स्टेरा) toxic to cats?
ModerateListed toxic to cats by ASPCA
Yes — monstera (Swiss cheese plant) is toxic to cats: its oxalate crystals cause intense burning in the mouth, drooling and vomiting. Painful, but rarely dangerous.
Why moderate: Oxalate crystals: intense mouth burning. (A 'low' human rating doesn't apply to cats.)
- Name
- Monsteraalso Swiss cheese plant, Split-leaf philodendron
- Hindi
- मॉन्स्टेरा
- Botanical name
- Monstera deliciosa · Araceae
Toxic parts
Leaves and stems — the crystals are released wherever the plant is chewed.
What's in it
Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals — tiny needles that are released when the leaf is chewed and stab the lips, mouth and throat
How to recognise it
- Large, glossy leaves with splits and holes
- Thick aerial roots
Look-alikes and name traps
Split-leaf 'selloum' philodendrons are also toxic; the 'mini monstera' (Rhaphidophora) is a related aroid whose ASPCA status hasn't been checked.
Symptoms to watch for
- Drooling
- Pawing at the mouth or face
- Gagging or vomiting
- Painful mouth, not wanting to eat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Rarely: swelling of the throat that makes breathing hard (emergency)
At once — the crystals hurt as soon as the plant is chewed.
What to do
Call your vet. It hurts at once, but most cats recover with supportive care.
- Take the plant away, note how much is missing and take a photo of it.
- Call your vet if your cat drools, paws at the mouth, gags or vomits.
- Go now if breathing is noisy or laboured, the face or throat swells, or your cat can't swallow (Pet Poison Helpline's rule).
- Don't make your cat vomit at home unless a vet tells you to.
Where Indian cats meet it
A popular large indoor plant for living rooms and cafés.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: Swiss cheese plant
- Pet Poison Helpline: Oxalates (insoluble)
- NC State Plant Toolbox: Monstera deliciosa (human toxicity data)
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.
