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If your cat ate daphne laureola — 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 or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 now.

Daphne laureola is toxic to cats (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My cat ate Daphne laureola — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take daphne laureola 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 the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) and 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.

My cat ate daphne laureola — FAQ

Is daphne laureola poisonous to cats?

Yes — the ASPCA lists Daphne laureola (Daphne laureola) as toxic to cats. Highly poisonous. While Daphne laureola is not individually listed by the ASPCA, the genus Daphne is well documented as toxic to dogs, cats, horses and people. All parts, especially the berries, sap and twigs, contain the diterpene resin mezerein plus coumarin glycosides (daphnin); ingestion causes intense mouth and throat irritation, drooling, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain and, in severe cases, collapse. The sap also irritates skin. Wear gloves when handling and contact a vet immediately if a pet eats any part.

How serious is it if my cat ate daphne laureola?

Daphne laureola is toxic to cats and reactions can be significant, so treat any ingestion as urgent. Call your vet or poison control on (888) 426-4435 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. Highly poisonous. While Daphne laureola is not individually listed by the ASPCA, the genus Daphne is well documented as toxic to dogs, cats, horses and people. All parts, especially the berries, sap and twigs, contain the diterpene resin mezerein plus coumarin glycosides (daphnin); ingestion causes intense mouth and throat irritation, drooling, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain and, in severe cases, collapse. The sap also irritates skin. Wear gloves when handling and contact a vet immediately if a pet eats any part. 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 the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center specifically tells you to. The wrong action can make things worse. Call (888) 426-4435 and follow professional advice.

How do I stop this happening again?

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

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