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If your cat ate arborvitae — do this now

  1. Take the plant away and clear any pieces from their mouth.
  2. Do not induce vomiting unless told to by a professional.
  3. Call your vet now. If you cannot reach one, a poison-control line will triage you — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK. Both services charge a fee.

Arborvitae is toxic to cats (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My cat ate Arborvitae — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take arborvitae away and remove any plant material from your cat's mouth so they cannot eat more.
  2. Note roughly how much was eaten and when — this helps the vet judge the risk.
  3. Do NOT induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to.
  4. Call your vet, or a poison-control line — (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK. Both charge a consultation fee. Follow their advice.
  5. Watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or lethargy, and bring a leaf or photo to the appointment.

This is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide as well as the plant. When in doubt, call your vet — or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK.

My cat ate arborvitae — FAQ

Is arborvitae poisonous to cats?

Yes — Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is regarded as toxic to cats, based on genus- and family-level toxicity data. Arborvitae (Thuja) is not listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, so its safety cannot be confirmed there — and claims that the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic are a misattribution. All parts contain thujone (plus tropolones); thujone is a recognised neurotoxin (the regulated convulsant also found in wormwood and absinthe), most concentrated in the cones, wood and twig tips. Small nibbles typically cause gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling), but larger ingestions can cause neurological effects including seizures, plus liver and kidney injury; horses, goats and sheep are especially susceptible and serious livestock poisoning is documented. Because authoritative toxicology flags a real systemic hazard, treat arborvitae as toxic: keep clippings away from pets and grazing animals, and contact your vet or a poison control line straight away if any is eaten — do not assume it is pet-safe.

How serious is it if my cat ate arborvitae?

Arborvitae is toxic to cats and reactions can be significant, so treat any ingestion as urgent. Call your vet, or (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK, straight away rather than waiting to see if symptoms develop.

What symptoms should I watch for?

Signs usually appear soon after chewing: drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy. Arborvitae (Thuja) is not listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, so its safety cannot be confirmed there — and claims that the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic are a misattribution. All parts contain thujone (plus tropolones); thujone is a recognised neurotoxin (the regulated convulsant also found in wormwood and absinthe), most concentrated in the cones, wood and twig tips. Small nibbles typically cause gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling), but larger ingestions can cause neurological effects including seizures, plus liver and kidney injury; horses, goats and sheep are especially susceptible and serious livestock poisoning is documented. Because authoritative toxicology flags a real systemic hazard, treat arborvitae as toxic: keep clippings away from pets and grazing animals, and contact your vet or a poison control line straight away if any is eaten — do not assume it is pet-safe. Any worsening or persistent symptoms warrant an immediate vet visit.

Should I make my cat vomit?

No — do not induce vomiting unless a vet or a poison-control specialist specifically tells you to. The wrong action can make things worse. Call your vet, or (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK, and follow professional advice.

How do I stop this happening again?

Keep arborvitae well out of reach, or swap it for an ASPCA non-toxic plant — see the best cats-safe plants list.

Type any plant to see what the ASPCA says about it and your cat.

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