Medicine Plant
Aloe vera · Asphodelaceae
How it looks
The Medicine Plant (Aloe vera) is a succulent whose thick, fleshy, sword-shaped leaves radiate out from the base. The leaves are gray-green with white speckles and have small spines along the edges. When cut, they exude a clear gel. It grows 12-24 in (30-60 cm) tall.
Mild caution — stomach irritation
The leaves of Medicine Plant (Aloe) contain irritating compounds in their latex layer that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy if chewed. Most cats recover on their own, but as a caution-level plant it still calls for monitoring.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- Right away to within 2 hours of ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy
- Action
- Rinse the mouth with water and monitor. Consult a vet if symptoms last more than 12 hours.
Guide for parents
An occasional nibble on Medicine Plant rarely leads to serious trouble, but its saponins and anthraquinones can irritate the stomach and mucous membranes, causing mild gastrointestinal upset.
Make a habit of clearing away fallen leaves and broken stems the same day, and keep the pot somewhere your cat can't reach.
If symptoms last more than 12 hours or your cat shows a marked loss of appetite, consult your vet.
Details
- Scientific name
- Aloe vera
- Common name
- Medicine Plant
- Family
- Asphodelaceae
- Toxic parts
- Leaves (latex layer)
- Compounds
- Saponins, Anthraquinones
- Onset
- Right away to within 2 hours of ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy
- Action
- Rinse the mouth with water and monitor. Consult a vet if symptoms last more than 12 hours.
- Source
- ASPCA
Related plants
Same plant family· Asphodelaceae
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