Is Orchid toxic to cats?
Orchids (Phalaenopsis, the common moth orchid) are non-toxic to cats (S0 Safe) according to the ASPCA.
- TOXINnone — no toxic principles on record
- WHAT TO EXPECTno symptoms on record
- CALL THE VETSee a vet only if unusual or persistent symptoms follow ingestion.
Nothing to do — really
Care at a glance
FAQ
My cat ate an orchid flower — will it get sick?
Not from a toxin: Phalaenopsis orchids are S0 Safe for cats, and the ASPCA lists no toxic principle and no clinical signs for them. S0 means non-toxic on record, not that a big meal of any plant sits well — a cat that eats a lot of leaf may still get an upset stomach. A flower or two is the common case and rarely causes anything at all. Expect at most a bit of vomited petal, and no need for a vet visit on the plant's account. If your cat seems unwell for another reason, treat that on its own merits — the orchid isn't the cause on any record we hold.
Does "orchid is safe" cover every orchid, or only the moth orchid?
Only the moth orchid, strictly speaking. Our record is for Phalaenopsis, the orchid sold in supermarkets and florists, which the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs with no toxic principle on record. "Orchid" as a word covers thousands of species across many genera, and we have not graded the others, so this verdict should not be stretched to a dendrobium, a cattleya, or an orchid you can't name. If the label or the pot says Phalaenopsis, this page applies; if you can't be sure which orchid you have, treat it as ungraded rather than safe.