Milkweed

Milkweed is not a plant to take lightly. Ingestion starts with vomiting, diarrhea, profound depression, and loss of appetite, then seizures, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, and a rapid, weak pulse can follow. As it advances it can reach kidney and liver failure, coma, respiratory failure, and death.

One note on names, which matters most for Korean readers. The plant Koreans call bakjugari (박주가리) is Metaplexis japonica, a native vine in the same family as Asclepias but in a different genus. It is not on the ASPCA list, so no cat-specific verdict exists for it. That absence is not a clearance; it only means no confirmed data. Don't carry this page's danger rating over to that vine, and don't treat it as a reason to bring the vine home either.

Where you meet them usually tells them apart. Asclepias is native to North America and arrived here as an ornamental, with orange to red flowers gathered in rounded heads, sold in Korea under the name geumgwanhwa (금관화). Metaplexis japonica grows on its own along roadsides and in open fields, best known for pods that split to release silky, tufted seeds. Both bleed white latex when cut, so the milky sap alone won't tell you which one you have.

In most homes this plant arrives as a potted plant or in a bouquet. Clear away cut stems, fallen leaves, and any sap the same day, and after time outdoors check whether your cat has been chewing unfamiliar plants.

If there's any sign your cat chewed or swallowed it, go to the vet immediately even if symptoms look mild. Don't induce vomiting at home, and tell the vet which part was eaten and how much.