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If your cat ate elder — 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.

Elder is toxic to cats (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My cat ate Elder — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take elder 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 elder — FAQ

Is elder poisonous to cats?

Yes — Elder (Sambucus nigra) is regarded as toxic to cats, based on genus- and family-level toxicity data. Toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The leaves, stems, bark, roots, and unripe berries contain cyanogenic glycosides (including sambunigrin) that release hydrogen cyanide, plus a toxic alkaloid; ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, weakness and, in significant doses, cyanide toxicity. Only thoroughly cooked ripe flowers and berries are considered safe for human use. Keep pets from chewing any part.

How serious is it if my cat ate elder?

Elder 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. Toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The leaves, stems, bark, roots, and unripe berries contain cyanogenic glycosides (including sambunigrin) that release hydrogen cyanide, plus a toxic alkaloid; ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, weakness and, in significant doses, cyanide toxicity. Only thoroughly cooked ripe flowers and berries are considered safe for human use. Keep pets from chewing 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 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 elder 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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