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If your cat ate winterberry holly 'winter red' — 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.

Winterberry Holly 'Winter Red' is toxic to cats (ASPCA).

Pet emergency

My cat ate Winterberry Holly 'Winter Red' — what to do

Step by step

  1. Take winterberry holly 'winter red' 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 winterberry holly 'winter red' — FAQ

Is winterberry holly 'winter red' poisonous to cats?

Yes — the ASPCA lists Winterberry Holly 'Winter Red' (Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red') as toxic to cats. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is individually listed by the ASPCA as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with saponins as the toxic principle. Ingestion of leaves and the showy berries causes vomiting, diarrhoea and depression; the ASPCA classes leaves and berries as low toxicity, but the abundant red berries can tempt pets and children.

How serious is it if my cat ate winterberry holly 'winter red'?

Winterberry Holly 'Winter Red' 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. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is individually listed by the ASPCA as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with saponins as the toxic principle. Ingestion of leaves and the showy berries causes vomiting, diarrhoea and depression; the ASPCA classes leaves and berries as low toxicity, but the abundant red berries can tempt pets and children. 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 winterberry holly 'winter red' 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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