Is Kalanchoe Toxic to Cats?

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

Kalanchoe contains bufadienolides, the same family of cardiac toxins found in foxglove. Eating the leaves or flowers causes vomiting and diarrhoea and can disturb the heart rhythm.

It is sold as a cheap flowering houseplant in supermarkets and garden centres, often given as a gift, which is how it ends up in homes with cats.

Which parts are dangerous

• leaves
• flowers
• stems

What to watch for in the UK

• Supermarket flowering pot plants, especially in winter.
• Often received as a gift by people who did not choose it.
• Fallen leaves root easily and stay toxic.
• Keep it out of reach or rehome it.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Phone your vet promptly.
2. Take a photo of the plant.
3. Watch for vomiting, drooling and wobbliness.

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).