Is banyan fig toxic to cats?
Ficus benghalensis
Yes. Banyan fig is toxic to cats, graded low severity by NC State Extension. The agent is proteolytic enzyme, psoralen. Call your vet if a cat has eaten any.
- Take any remaining plant material out of their mouth and rinse the mouth with water.
- Call someone. Your own vet first. Otherwise ASPCA Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 — both charge a fee.
- Take a photo of the plant, and note roughly how much was eaten and when. It is the first thing you will be asked.
- Do not make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to.
What it does, and why
The agent is proteolytic enzyme, psoralen.
The milky sap carries a protein-digesting enzyme that irritates on contact, plus psoralen, which sensitises skin to ultraviolet light.
Mouth and gut irritation from eating; skin reaction from sap, worsened by sunlight afterwards.
Worth watching for. Sap on skin then sun exposure can burn more than the sap alone would.
Reported signs
- oral irritation
- salivation
- vomiting
- skin irritation
Signs as listed by the ASPCA under Ficus benjamina. Not every animal shows all of them.
What each authority says
- ASPCA — entry for a different species in this genus: Ficus benjamina
- Toxic to cats and dogs · proteolytic enzyme, psoralen
- NC State Extension
- Poison severity: Low · Proteolytic enzyme and psoralen · If ingested by pets or humans, it can cause decreased appetite, drooling, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The sap can irritate the skin.
What to keep instead
Species in this database listed non-toxic to cats and dogs, chosen for a similar look or similar care rather than at random.
| Plant | Family | Water | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bamboo palmChamaedorea seifrizii | Arecaceae | 7–12d | 2/5 |
| Blue star fernPhlebodium aureum | Polypodiaceae | 5–10d | 2/5 |
Swapping the plant is the only measure that reliably works. Height and hanging baskets buy less time than people expect with a determined cat.
The other animal
Looking for dogs? See is banyan fig toxic to dogs. Full care details are on the banyan fig species entry.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Ficus benjamina Checked 2026-09-12.
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Ficus benghalensis Checked 2026-09-12.
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Plants of the World Online — Ficus benghalensis Accepted name and family. Checked 2026-09-12.
- Wikidata entity Q1405636 — entity identity, so this record can be matched against other databases.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435 — emergency line, fee applies
Compiled and edited by Tony Valcarcel · 2026-09-11
Tony Valcarcel is the editor and publisher of this database, not a veterinarian.
Severity is reproduced from the authority that published it and is never
originated here. How this is sourced.
This page is a reference, not a diagnosis. In an emergency, call rather than read.