Ezina · A Field Manual for Plant Care · United States Vol. I · Ed. 2027 · Proof copy

§ Toxic plants · Asteraceae · Checked Oct 2026

Is cape-ivy toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Cape-ivy (Senecio mikanioides) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Severe, level 3 of 4.

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Cape-ivy (Senecio mikanioides)
Photo: (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda, via iNaturalist

§ 010 · Signs

What to watch for

Signs include liver failure, wobbliness or poor coordination, weight loss, weakness, drowsiness, yawning, dullness or depression, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. Signs can start within hours; some take a day or more to show.

§ 020 · If it happened

What to do if your pet ate it

Call your vet or a pet poison hotline straight away, even if your pet seems fine: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661. Both are open 24 hours and charge a fee. Have the plant or a photo of it to hand, and don’t make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.

§ 030 · Same family

Other Asteraceae plants toxic to pets

Cape-ivy belongs to the Asteraceae family. ASPCA lists these relatives too.

§ 040 · Questions

Questions about cape-ivy and pets

Is cape-ivy toxic to cats?

Yes. ASPCA lists cape-ivy as toxic to cats.

Is cape-ivy toxic to dogs?

Yes. ASPCA lists cape-ivy as toxic to dogs.

What happens if my pet eats cape-ivy?

Signs include liver failure, wobbliness or poor coordination, weight loss, weakness, drowsiness, yawning, dullness or depression, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. Plant Smart rates it Severe, level 3 of 4.

What should I do if my pet ate it?

Call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away, even before signs appear: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Both charge a fee. Have the plant, or a photo of it, to hand.

Changes

5 Oct 2026: page drafted.

Sources

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.

Plant Smart: Plant Smart: plants toxic to pets.

Photo: (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda, via iNaturalist, source.

Checked Oct 2026.