Plum
Prunus domestica · Rosaceae
How it looks
Plum is a deciduous tree marked by serrated oval leaves and white five-petaled flowers in spring. In summer it bears round purple, yellow, or red fruits, each with a large pit inside. It grows 10–20 ft (3–6 m) tall.
Caution — monitor for GI symptoms
The seeds and leaves of Plum contain irritating compounds that can cause vomiting and diarrhea if chewed. Most cats recover on their own, but as a caution-level plant it still calls for monitoring.
Guide for parents
An occasional nibble on Plum rarely leads to serious trouble, but its cyanogenic glycosides 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.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
Details
- Scientific name
- Prunus domestica
- Common name
- Plum
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Toxic parts
- Seeds, Leaves
- Compounds
- Cyanogenic glycosides
- Onset
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
- Source
- ASPCA
Related plants
Same plant family· Rosaceae
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