Epipremnum aureum
Araceae
Pothos, Golden Pothos, Devil’s Ivy, Devils Ivy, Devil’s Vine, Taro Vine, Ivy Arum, Money Plant, Silver Vine, Solomon Islands Ivy, Hunter’s Robe, Epipremnum, Variegated Pothos
Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in the form of raphides; irritant plant sap; possibly proteinase or other inflammatory compounds depending on plant tissue and related aroid chemistry
Immediate burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, tongue, and throat; drooling; pawing at the mouth; gagging; choking; vomiting; difficulty swallowing (dysphagia); swelling of the mouth, tongue, lips, or throat; hoarse or weak vocalization; refusal to eat; diarrhea; abdominal discomfort; depression; and skin irritation after sap contact. Rarely, significant upper-airway swelling may cause breathing difficulty. Large ingestions may cause more severe vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, weakness, and shock, but serious systemic poisoning is uncommon because the plant is painful and irritating when chewed.
Devil’s Ivy, Epipremnum aureum, is one of the most common trailing houseplants in the world. It is widely sold as Pothos, Golden Pothos, Devil’s Ivy, Taro Vine, Ivy Arum, Devil’s Vine, or Money Plant. It is popular because it tolerates low light, grows quickly, roots easily in water, and can trail from hanging baskets, shelves, plant stands, and bookcases. Those same qualities make it a frequent pet exposure plant, especially for cats that bat at dangling vines and dogs or puppies that chew accessible leaves and stems.
Although the common name includes “ivy,” Devil’s Ivy is not a true ivy in the genus Hedera. It is an aroid in the Araceae family, the same broad family that includes philodendron, monstera, dieffenbachia, peace lily, calla lily, caladium, elephant ear, and many other calcium-oxalate houseplants. For pet safety, the practical concern is insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, not the triterpenoid saponin/falcarinol pattern seen in true ivies.
One of the more common plant toxins, insoluble calcium oxalate crystals can be found in many popular houseplants and ornamentals. The vast majority of these plants belong to the Araceae family and cause a similar clinical syndrome. Within the Araceae, genera such as Alocasia, Arisaema, Caladium, Colocasia, Dieffenbachia, Monstera, Philodendron, and Epipremnum contain calcium oxalate crystals in the form of raphides. The Araceae family is one of the most diverse in the plant kingdom, comprising thousands of species, many of which are cultivated as indoor foliage plants.
When consumed, these plants can cause an intense burning sensation of the mouth, throat, lips, and tongue; excessive drooling; choking; gagging; and potentially serious swelling of the throat that can cause difficulty swallowing or, rarely, difficulty breathing. Symptoms usually occur immediately or within two hours after chewing the plant. Mouth soreness, reduced appetite, or mild irritation may persist longer in some animals, especially if the pet chewed a large amount or developed oral ulceration or swelling.
All parts of Devil’s Ivy should be considered irritating and unsafe for chewing pets, including leaves, stems, roots, aerial roots, cuttings, and propagated plant pieces kept in water. These plants contain special cells called idioblasts. Found in a number of plant species, both poisonous and non-poisonous, idioblasts differ from neighboring cells in that they contain non-living substances such as oil, latex, gum, resin, tannin, pigments, or minerals. One of these substances is raphides, or bundles of needle-like crystals of calcium oxalate that tend to be blunt at one end and sharp at the other.
The crystals are packed in a gelatinous substance that may contain free oxalic acid. When animals chew on the leaves or stems of the plant, the tip of the idioblast is broken, allowing saliva from the animal or sap from the plant to enter the cell. This causes the gelatinous material to swell, forcing the raphides, or needle-like calcium oxalate crystals, to shoot out from the cells into the surrounding tissue.
The calcium oxalate crystals then penetrate and embed themselves into the tissues of the mouth, tongue, throat, and upper digestive tract, causing immediate discomfort and aggravation, as would be expected when microscopic needles are lodged in the mouth and throat. The idioblasts may continue to expel raphides for a considerable amount of time after chewing, allowing crystals to also irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines and causing additional gastrointestinal upset.
In addition to calcium oxalate crystals, some aroid species may also contain proteinase or proteolytic enzymes that break proteins down into amino acids and stimulate the release of kinins and histamines. Kinins and histamines are part of the body’s natural inflammatory response to tissue damage and foreign material, but in this setting the inflammatory response may worsen swelling, pain, and irritation caused by the embedded calcium oxalate crystals.
In the vast majority of cases, clinical signs present quickly. Affected pets may shake the head, drool excessively, paw at the mouth, gag, vomit, dry heave, or suddenly stop chewing the plant. Some animals may whine, bark, yelp, or vocalize in an unusually hoarse or weak-sounding voice. Other signs include reduced appetite, depression, diarrhea, oral redness, and swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat.
In some cases, swelling may be severe enough to interfere with normal swallowing. Rarely, upper-airway swelling may restrict airflow and cause dyspnea, or shortness of breath and gasping for air. That complication is uncommon, but it is the reason calcium oxalate plants should not be dismissed entirely as harmless. A pet that is gagging continuously, cannot swallow, has noisy breathing, or appears to be struggling for air needs veterinary care immediately.
Due to the fact that Devil’s Ivy is bitter, fibrous, and immediately irritating to the mouth, large ingestions are uncommon. Most pets stop chewing quickly. If, however, a pet manages to consume a large amount, clinical signs may be worse. Vomiting and diarrhea can become persistent, dehydration may develop, and small or medically fragile animals may need veterinary fluids and supportive care. Older descriptions sometimes include dramatic systemic consequences after massive calcium oxalate ingestion, but with ordinary pothos exposure the safer modern framing is oral pain, mucous-membrane irritation, gastrointestinal upset, dehydration risk, and rare airway swelling rather than expected permanent liver or kidney damage.
Devil’s Ivy is especially relevant in homes with cats because trailing vines are tempting to bat, chew, and pull. Cuttings rooted in water may also attract pets, and fallen leaves or broken stems can remain irritating. Hanging baskets, high shelves, and plant stands may not be enough if vines trail downward into reach. In homes with persistent plant-chewing cats, puppies, rabbits, or birds, replacing Devil’s Ivy with a pet-safer plant is usually the safest practical approach.
Immediate Response to Devil’s Ivy Ingestion
- Remove the Source: Prevent further ingestion by removing the pet from Devil’s Ivy, Pothos, Golden Pothos, leaves, stems, vines, aerial roots, cuttings, propagated pieces, or any remaining plant material.
- Identify the Plant: Confirm whether the plant is Epipremnum aureum, commonly called Devil’s Ivy, Pothos, Golden Pothos, Taro Vine, Ivy Arum, Devil’s Vine, or Money Plant. This plant is not true ivy; it is an Araceae houseplant containing insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.
- Remove Plant Material from the Mouth: If ingestion was recent and it is safe to do so, remove visible leaves, stems, vines, aerial roots, or plant fragments from the mouth.
- Rinse the Mouth: Flush the mouth gently with cool water to remove remaining sap, plant fibers, and insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.
- Offer Soothing Food if Safe: If the pet is alert, breathing normally, and able to swallow, a small amount of milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, or another calcium-containing food may help soothe the mouth and throat.
- Wash Skin Exposures: If sap contacted the skin, lips, paws, belly, or fur, wash the area with mild soap and water to reduce irritation and prevent grooming-related exposure.
- Do Not Force Anything by Mouth: Do not force food, water, milk, medication, or peroxide into the mouth of an animal that is choking, gagging severely, gasping, unable to swallow, collapsed, extremely weak, or showing significant throat swelling.
- Watch for Symptoms: Monitor for drooling, pawing at the mouth, gagging, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, hoarse vocalization, swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat, diarrhea, reduced appetite, depression, weakness, or breathing difficulty.
- Contact Veterinary Help if Needed: Consult a veterinarian, emergency veterinary clinic, Pet Poison Helpline, or another animal poison-control professional if swelling is present, if breathing or swallowing is affected, if vomiting or diarrhea persists, if a large amount was eaten, or if the exposed animal is very small, young, elderly, medically fragile, or already ill.
Inducing Vomiting and Decontamination
- Oral Irritation Is the Main Concern: With Epipremnum aureum, the most immediate problem is usually painful irritation of the mouth, tongue, lips, throat, and upper digestive tract from insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.
- Vomiting Is Not Usually the First Priority: Because the irritation begins as soon as the plant is chewed, rinsing the mouth and controlling swelling, pain, and vomiting are usually more important than trying to empty the stomach.
- Getting Plant Material Out Still Matters: If a dog has recently swallowed a meaningful amount of leaves, stems, vines, or cuttings, removing remaining plant material from the stomach may reduce continued gastrointestinal irritation.
- Spontaneous Vomiting May Occur: The pet may vomit naturally because the plant is bitter, irritating, and difficult for the digestive tract to tolerate.
- Inducing Vomiting in Dogs Only: If ingestion was recent and the dog is alert, breathing normally, able to swallow, and not showing severe oral swelling, choking, breathing difficulty, repeated vomiting, weakness, collapse, tremors, seizures, or neurologic signs, a veterinarian or animal poison-control professional may recommend inducing vomiting with fresh 3% hydrogen peroxide.
- Cat Warning: Hydrogen peroxide should not be used to induce vomiting in cats unless a veterinarian specifically directs it. Cats are more prone to irritation and complications from hydrogen peroxide, and home vomiting attempts may create more risk than benefit.
- Do Not Induce Vomiting in an Unstable Animal: Vomiting should not be attempted in any animal that is weak, collapsed, sedated, having trouble breathing, unable to swallow normally, already vomiting repeatedly, showing severe mouth or throat swelling, tremors, seizures, abnormal heart signs, or neurologic signs.
- Activated Charcoal: Activated charcoal is rarely useful for ordinary calcium oxalate irritation because the crystals injure tissue mechanically as they are chewed. A veterinarian or poison-control professional may still consider it if a large mixed ingestion occurred or if another toxin is suspected.
- Gastric Lavage: Gastric lavage is not needed for typical small chewing exposures, but a veterinarian may consider controlled decontamination if a very large amount was ingested and the animal can be safely managed in a clinical setting.
Symptomatic Care and Treatment
- No Specific Antidote: There is no specific antidote for Devil’s Ivy or Pothos ingestion. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
- Mouth and Throat Pain: Oral pain is common after chewing Epipremnum aureum. Veterinary care may include additional mouth rinsing, pain control, anti-nausea medication, and monitoring for swelling.
- Swelling Control: Swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat should be taken seriously. Antihistamines, corticosteroids, or anti-inflammatory medication may be used under veterinary direction, but breathing or swallowing problems require urgent evaluation rather than home treatment alone.
- Airway Monitoring: Noisy breathing, rapid shallow breathing, gasping, choking, repeated gagging, or inability to swallow may indicate dangerous throat swelling and should be treated as an emergency.
- Hydration: Ensure the pet receives adequate fluids if vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, or reduced drinking occurs. Persistent vomiting or diarrhea can lead to dehydration and may require veterinary fluid therapy.
- Monitor Vomiting and Diarrhea: Repeated vomiting, persistent diarrhea, blood in stool, inability to keep water down, weakness, worsening lethargy, or signs of dehydration should prompt veterinary evaluation.
- Gastrointestinal Protection:
- Kapectolin: To alleviate gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea, Kapectolin may be given at a dose of 1 to 2 ml/kg four times daily to help coat and protect the stomach lining.
- Sucralfate: Sucralfate may be used for gastrointestinal irritation because it reacts with stomach acid to form a paste-like protective barrier between irritated tissue and stomach contents.
- Dogs greater than 60 lbs: 1g every 6 to 8 hours.
- Dogs less than 60 lbs: 0.5g every 6 to 8 hours.
- Cats: 0.25g every 8 to 12 hours.
Houseplant and Indoor Prevention
- Keep Vines Out of Reach: Place Devil’s Ivy, Pothos, Golden Pothos, and other trailing aroid houseplants where dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, rabbits, birds, and other chewing pets cannot access the leaves, stems, vines, or aerial roots.
- Control Dangling Growth: Hanging baskets and high shelves may still allow vines to trail into reach. Trim or secure long vines so cats and playful pets cannot bat, pull, or chew them.
- Watch Propagation Cuttings: Pothos cuttings rooted in water should be kept away from pets. Leaves, stems, roots, and propagation water may all be contaminated with irritating plant material.
- Clean Up Plant Debris: Pick up fallen leaves, broken vines, pruned material, and repotting debris promptly.
- Do Not Confuse with True Ivy: Devil’s Ivy is not Hedera ivy. It is an Araceae calcium-oxalate plant, so the expected signs are mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and possible swelling.
- Use Pet-Safer Alternatives: In homes with persistent plant-chewing pets, replacing Devil’s Ivy with a pet-safer houseplant is the safest practical approach.
Prognosis and Recovery
- General Outlook: Most pets recover well after a small taste or brief chewing exposure, especially when the mouth is rinsed quickly and the pet remains able to swallow and breathe normally.
- Expected Recovery: Mild cases often improve within several hours, although drooling, mouth sensitivity, reduced appetite, or mild gastrointestinal upset may last longer.
- Higher-Risk Cases: Prognosis becomes more guarded if the animal chews a large amount, develops significant oral or throat swelling, vomits repeatedly, becomes dehydrated, or has trouble breathing or swallowing.
- Veterinary Care: Veterinary evaluation is recommended when symptoms are persistent, severe, involve swelling, affect breathing or swallowing, or when the plant identity is uncertain.
- Prevention: Prevent further ingestion of the plant, keep pothos vines out of pet-accessible areas, remove clippings and fallen leaves, and monitor pets that have a history of chewing houseplants.