Is Shamrock toxic to cats?
Shamrock (Oxalis) is toxic to cats (S3 Toxic): a small bite causes immediate mouth pain and stomach upset from its soluble calcium oxalates, and the ASPCA lists kidney failure as rare in dogs/cats, possible if significant amounts are eaten — Pet Poison Helpline adds that when large enough quantities are ingested, neurologic signs and kidney injury can follow.
- TOXINsoluble calcium oxalates
- WHAT TO EXPECTimmediate oral discomfort and pain; GI upset and irritation; salivation
- CALL THE VETCall your vet promptly after any ingestion; go immediately if a large amount was eaten, or if your cat has tremors, is drinking or urinating much more than usual, or seems weak or unsteady.
Symptoms
| SIGN |
|---|
| immediate oral discomfort and pain |
| GI upset and irritation |
| salivation |
| tremors |
| neurologic signs (with large or grazing ingestions) |
| excess thirst and urination (with large or grazing ingestions) |
| kidney failure / kidney injury (rare in dogs and cats; if significant amounts are eaten) |
If your cat just ate it
Same tabletop look, minus the risk
3 tabletop plants graded S0 — non-toxic on record.
Care at a glance
FAQ
My cat nibbled a shamrock plant — how worried should I be?
Call your vet, and tell them how much is missing. For a small amount, Pet Poison Helpline describes "immediate oral discomfort and pain along with GI upset and irritation," and notes signs "may be short lived to requiring some supportive care by a veterinarian." The serious risk is the amount: the ASPCA lists "Kidney failure (rare in dogs/cats)" and says "kidney failure is possible if significant amounts are eaten," and Pet Poison Helpline says that "when ingested in large enough quantities in small animals, it can result in poisoning." Neither source gives a number, and we won't invent one — treat a large or unknown amount as urgent.
Is a "good luck plant" a shamrock or a snake plant?
It can be either — the ASPCA uses the name for both. Its Shamrock Plant and Good Luck Plant entries are Oxalis, and its Snake Plant entry (Sansevieria trifasciata) lists "Golden Bird's Nest, Mother-in-Law's Tongue, Good Luck Plant" as other names. The two records are not alike: Oxalis is S3 Toxic here, with kidney failure on record in large amounts, while the snake plant is S1 Caution with stomach upset only — see our snake plant verdict. Check the scientific name on the tag before you trust either grade.
Is sorrel the same plant as shamrock?
The two sources answer differently, so we give you both. Pet Poison Helpline says "Shamrock and sorrel are both oxalis species plants and may be similar in appearance." The ASPCA lists "Sorrel" as another name on its Oxalis entries, but it also has a separate "Sorrel" entry for Rumex scutatus — garden sorrel, a different family (Polygonaceae) — which reads: "Small exposures only result in GI upset. Very large amounts can cause weakness, muscle fasciculations, and potentially seizures from hypocalcemia." This page grades Oxalis only; we do not grade the Rumex sorrel. If the tag says Rumex, this page does not apply.
Is a shamrock the same as clover?
Not in our sources. The ASPCA's shamrock entries and Pet Poison Helpline's shamrock page are all Oxalis. Neither source has an entry for clover (Trifolium), including the four-leaf kind, so clover has no grade here — this page covers Oxalis only.