Is Pothos Toxic to Cats, and Can Cats Smell It?

1. Is Pothos Toxic to Cats?

Pothos is a plant in the Araceae family, and most plants in this family are toxic. Pothos is no exception and has a certain level of toxicity. Its toxicity is concentrated in the sap inside the plant, and if humans accidentally ingest it or come into contact with its sap, they may be poisoned. For cats, pothos is likewise mildly toxic. If ingested, cats may experience adverse reactions such as diarrhea, vomiting, drooling and difficulty swallowing.

2. Can Cats Smell Pothos?

Generally speaking, it is not advisable to let cats smell pothos. Although the smell of pothos is not toxic and cats will not be poisoned after smelling it, cats may want to eat it after smelling it, which will cause the cat to be poisoned. Therefore, it is best not to let cats smell pothos, to prevent them from being poisoned by accidentally eating it.

3. Can You Keep Pothos at Home If You Have a Cat?

If you have a cat at home, it is not advisable to keep pothos. In addition, other plants that are toxic to cats, such as azaleas, periwinkles, hydrangeas, irises, crotons, lucky bamboo, ivy and hyacinths, are also not recommended. If you want to keep them, it is recommended to grow them on an enclosed balcony or in other places cats cannot reach, to prevent them from being poisoned by accidentally eating them.