Epipremnum aureum (taro vine, devil’s vine, Solomon island ivy, silver vine, house plant, ivy arum, hunter’s robe, Ceylon creeper, marble queen, golden pothos), is a flowering plant in the family in the arum family Araceae, native to Mo’orea.
It is sometimes known as pothos since it was once classified in the genus Pothos but was later moved to genus Epipremnum. Additionally, some plant stores label it as Philodendron.
Safety to pets
Boasting of a Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, this evergreen vine is one of the most popular houseplants in temperature regions. In the tropical areas, you will find it in gardens and parks.
This trailing flowering vine is easy to grow, can tolerate low light, and easy to care for. Also, you love its light green, yellow, or white variegated heart-shaped leaves.
Unfortunately, all Epipremnum aureum or pothos cultivars, including popular cultivars like Hawaiian, Glacier, Cebu, Trebi, Sterling silver Scindapsus, Jessenia, Manjula pothos as well as neon pothos, satin pothos, pearl and jade pothos, golden pothos, and marble queen pothos, are poisonous or toxic to your cats and even dogs.
Pothos are toxic to cats because they have insoluble calcium oxalates (don’t confuse them with soluble oxalates, rhubarb, shamrock, star-fruits, greasewood, or Rumex spp. have). Insoluble oxalates are microscopic crystals contained in specialized cells known as idioblasts.
When your cat eats any plant with insoluble calcium oxalates, the saliva ruptures the idioblasts, which will eject the insoluble calcium oxalates that will embed on your cat’s oral cavity, tongue, lips, and gastrointestinal walls, causing a lot of pain.
Symptoms of toxicity
- Severe oral discomfort – intense irritation and burning of lips, mouth, or tongue
- Excessive drooling or salivation
- Mouth pawing
- Vomiting
- Reduced appetite, your cat will be unwilling to eat
- Swallowing difficulties
- Swollen tongue, lips, or mouth that may be mild to severe
If you suspect your kitty has ingested pothos leaves, stems, or vines and/or has any of the above symptoms, immediately take her to your veterinarian for treatment.
Alternatively, you can call the American Association of Poison Control Centers (800) 222-1222, the Pet Poison Helpline 1 (855) 764-7661, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (800)426-4435 for further help.
Other insoluble oxalate containing plants
Besides pothos, the following plants in the arum family Araceae will cause similar symptoms since they also have insoluble calcium oxalates:
- Philodendron
- Dieffenbachia, dumb cane or mother-in-law’s tongue
- Anthurium or Flamingo plant
- Chinese Evergreen or Aglaonema
- Elephant ear plant or Colocasia
- Syngonium podophyllum or arrowhead plant
- Peach lily or Spathiphyllum wallisii
Protection
The best choice is not having this money plant and going for safe houseplants like Christmas cactus, bromeliads, calatheas, Echeveria, hoyas, African violets, polka dot plant, cast iron plant, among others. The least of cat-friendly plants is endless.
Alternatively, you can grow the plant in enclosures like a plant terrarium where your cats cannot access the plant. This is the safest way to ensure your kitties don’t accidentally eat your golden pothos and get sick.
There are other ways to keep your cats from houseplants, including repellents, training them not to eat houseplants, giving them safer plants to eat, reducing boredom, and so on. However, these methods will not assure you that your feline will not eat your pothos.
Other money plants
Besides Epipremnum aureum, you need to know that other plants are known as money plants or money trees, with some of them being safe while others are also toxic. These houseplants include:
- Crassula ovata (family Crassulaceae: Also known as jade plant, Japanese rubber plant, lucky plant, money plant, money tree, Baby Jade, Jade tree, or Chinese rubber plant. Crassula ovata is toxic to cats and dogs for an unknown reason. Expect depression, vomiting, and poor coordination.
- Pilea peperomioides (family Urticaceae): This house plant has other names like Missionary plant, pancake plant, UFO plant, lefse plant, blender plant, or mirror grass. It is non-toxic to cats.
- Hydrocotyle vulgaris (family Araliaceae): It is also knowns as Common pennyworth, copper coin, water naval, lucky plant, marsh pennywort, and it is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- Lunaria (familyBrassicaceae): Has common names like Silver dollar, moonwort, dollar plant, honesty, money plant, or dollar plant. This money plant is not poisonous to cats or dogs.
- Pachira aquatic or Malabar chestnut: This houseplant is also known as French peanut, Guiana chestnut, Provision tree, Saba nut, Monguba, or Pumpo, and it is safe for cats and dogs.