Plant safety for cats
Is purslane toxic to cats?
ModerateListed toxic to cats by ASPCA
Yes — ASPCA lists purslane (kulfa) and moss rose as toxic to cats: soluble oxalates can cause drooling and tremors, and rarely kidney failure.
Why moderate: Soluble oxalates: drooling and tremors; kidney failure is rare.
- Name
- Purslanealso Kulfa, Moss rose, Nine o'clock flower
- Botanical name
- Portulaca oleracea (and P. grandiflora) · Portulacaceae
Toxic parts
Treat every part as toxic — ASPCA lists the plant without naming a safer part.
What's in it
Soluble calcium oxalates.
How to recognise it
- Low, sprawling succulent with fleshy leaves and reddish stems
- Small yellow flowers (kulfa) or bright single or double flowers (moss rose)
Look-alikes and name traps
Not a rose — real roses (gulab) are non-toxic.
Symptoms to watch for
- Drooling
- Tremors
- Rarely: kidney failure
What to do
Call your vet today. Tremors mean go now.
- Take the plant away, note how much is missing and take a photo of it.
- Don't make your cat vomit at home unless a vet tells you to.
- No milk, oil, salt water or home remedies.
Where Indian cats meet it
A common weed and leafy vegetable; moss rose fills sunny balcony pots.
Sources
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.
