Is African Violet Safe for Cats?

Saintpaulia

African violets are listed as non-toxic to cats. The fuzzy leaves put many cats off, and a cat that does chew one is not in danger.

The risk sits around the plant: liquid fertiliser, a saucer of standing water and the small pots that are easy to knock onto the floor.

What to watch for in the UK

• Sold on supermarket windowsill displays.
• Bottom-watering saucers are a source of dirty water a cat may drink.
• Plant food is the real hazard — store it away.
• Dropped leaves are harmless but messy.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Nothing to do.
2. If fertiliser or plant food was eaten, phone your vet.

Take a photo of the plant, and a cutting if you can do it safely — identification is half of the vet's decision. Out of hours, use your practice's emergency number. This page explains risk; it cannot diagnose your cat and it contains no home treatments.

If your cat has vomited after eating a plant, see the cat vomiting guide and, if there is blood, vomiting blood. For a general red-flag checklist, use sick cat symptoms. If the worry is food rather than a plant, the can cats eat guide covers 36 everyday foods.

Related plants

Browse the full UK plant checklist (72 plants).