Is Carolina Jessamine toxic to cats?
Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium, also sold as yellow jessamine or Carolina jasmine) is life-threatening to cats (S4 Emergency): Pet Poison Helpline records that all parts of the vine contain neurotoxins that can cause muscle weakness, paralysis, slowed breathing, seizures, and death — it is not a true jasmine.
- TOXINgelsemine, sempervirine, related alkaloids (neurotoxins)
- WHAT TO EXPECTmuscle weakness; paralysis; decreased respiratory rate
- CALL THE VETImmediately, on any ingestion — the record lists paralysis, slowed breathing, seizures, and death. There is no safe wait-and-see window.
Symptoms
| SIGN |
|---|
| muscle weakness |
| paralysis |
| decreased respiratory rate |
| hypothermia |
| difficulty swallowing and breathing |
| vision problems |
| seizures |
| death is possible |
If your cat just ate it
Same climbing look, minus the risk
1 climbing plant graded S0 — non-toxic on record.
Care at a glance
FAQ
Is Carolina jasmine a real jasmine — and is it safe like jasmine is?
No. Carolina jasmine — more often spelled Carolina jessamine, and also sold as yellow jessamine — is Gelsemium, a yellow-flowered vine that is not related to true jasmine. True jasmine is the genus Jasminum, which the ASPCA lists as non-toxic and we grade S0 on our jasmine page. Gelsemium is the other end of the scale: Pet Poison Helpline records that "All parts of this trailing vine contain neurotoxins (e.g., alkaloids, gelsemine, and sempervirine)" and that ingestion "can result in clinical signs of muscle weakness, paralysis, decreased respiratory rate, hypothermia, difficulty swallowing and breathing, vision problems, seizures and death." The ASPCA has no entry for this plant, so that single record is the whole basis of our S4 grade. If a cat has chewed any part of it, go to a vet or emergency animal hospital immediately — do not wait for symptoms.
Which part of Carolina jessamine is poisonous — the flowers, or the whole vine?
The whole vine. Pet Poison Helpline's wording leaves no part out: "All parts of this trailing vine contain neurotoxins (e.g., alkaloids, gelsemine, and sempervirine)." The source does not rank the flowers, leaves, or stems against each other, and it does not give an amount below which the plant is safe, so our record lists the toxic part simply as all parts. What those toxins do is the reason for the S4 grade: "muscle weakness, paralysis, decreased respiratory rate, hypothermia, difficulty swallowing and breathing, vision problems, seizures and death." If your cat has chewed any part of this vine, go to a vet or emergency animal hospital immediately — do not wait for symptoms.
Is Carolina jessamine dangerous to dogs too?
Yes, and to the same degree. Pet Poison Helpline's Jessamine entry is written for pets without distinction and covers both dogs and cats: all parts of the vine contain neurotoxins, and ingestion "can result in clinical signs of muscle weakness, paralysis, decreased respiratory rate, hypothermia, difficulty swallowing and breathing, vision problems, seizures and death." The ASPCA has no entry for this plant, so that single record is the basis of the grade: S4 Emergency on our Carolina jessamine page for dogs. It is a common fence and mailbox vine in the Southeast, exactly where dogs spend time. If your dog has chewed or eaten any part of it, go to a vet or emergency animal hospital immediately.