Are Clematis Toxic to Cats?

Clematis species

Clematis contains protoanemonin, an irritant that causes drooling, vomiting and mouth pain. The sap also irritates skin, including a cat's paws and your hands.

It climbs over almost every British fence and pergola, and the plant sheds leaves and petals onto paths throughout summer.

Which parts are dangerous

• leaves
• flowers
• sap

What to watch for in the UK

• On fences, pergolas, trellis and arches nationwide.
• Pruning produces sap that irritates hands — wear gloves.
• Clematis montana sheds thousands of petals in early summer.
• Ties and trellis are also cat play targets.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Rinse the mouth if possible and offer water.
2. Phone your vet if drooling is persistent.
3. Wash sap off paws with a damp cloth.

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).