Are Potato Plants Toxic to Cats?

Solanum tuberosum

Solanine is present in the leaves, stems, sprouts and any green skin on the tuber. Eating those parts causes vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and, at higher doses, nervous-system signs.

Allotments and veg patches are the growing risk; the kitchen risk is green potatoes and peelings left in reach.

Which parts are dangerous

• leaves
• stems
• sprouts
• green skin

What to watch for in the UK

• Grown widely on UK allotments and in gardens.
• Green potatoes and sprouted potatoes are the kitchen hazard.
• Peelings in a compost caddy are accessible to a determined cat.
• Cooked potato with butter or salt is a second problem — see butter and salt.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Phone your vet if leaves or green parts were eaten.
2. Watch for vomiting and drooling.
3. A plain piece of cooked potato is a minor issue; the plant is not.

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).