Is milkweed poisonous to cats?

Penne Johnson
by Penne Johnson

These beauties are driving me nuts. I DO leave them alone, but am wondering.I have had a total of 23 Cats so far this summer, and only one that I found inmy patio area where my milkweed is made a Chrystallis and it has been 16 days and doesn't look like she is alive. Chrystallis looks light at times during the day and dark changing, but never looks good to me. QUESTION. My Milkweedgrew naturally in a huge pot where I have the MOONFLOWER plant that looks like cactus blooming only for 24 hours once time a year. Because I have beenseeing my cats dying I am wondering it this plant is poisonous to the Cats. They are all growing to good size, some only about 1-1/2" and they die. I DO NOT put anything on these plants (insecticides.) I watched one yesterday for 45 min trying to make a chrystallis on one of the tiny thorns of the plant, finally leaving and making a j shape several times on the nearby wall and she justcouldn't seem to be satisfied. She then crawled down the wall to the cement below and was thrashing around and I knew she was dying. I have moved a new M.weed plant to the other end of my patio garden thinking something in that pot is killing them. ANY suggestions as to this theory. ONLINE isn't helping me at ll. Only talks about the Monarch itself being poisonous. Thanks everyone. Penne

  2 answers
  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Jul 08, 2019

    Have you tried to call a butterfly habitat? Maybe your local zoo? They may have some information for you or tell you where to find more information. Best of luck to you and your butterflys.

    • See 1 previous
    • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Jul 08, 2019

      You are most welcome.

  • Milkweed can be poisonous to cats if ingested. Here is a comprehensive list.


    https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/m?page=2


    Google can be extremely helpful once you get the hang of how to use it.

    • See 1 previous
    • Well how many cats do you have? 23 sounds excessive? I have 6 and the law in LA County is 3 per household. In unincorporated areas (where I live), one may have up to 5 provided they are inside cats. Mine are not as they were feral rescues. They were all spayed and neutered and get wellness exams annually.


      Your title to this request: "Is Milkweed Poisonous To Cats?" - we have that covered.


      What does the vet say? Are they being examined yearly and have all their shots? Seems to me something else is killing your cats and I would really be concerned and certainly quarantine them until you can determine exactly why they are dying. And not acquire any more either. Any animal that dies breaks my heart.