Is Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst' toxic to cats?

No — bougainvillea 'barbara karst' is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats. It is a sensible choice for a home with a cat; a curious nibble will not poison them, though no plant is meant to be eaten. Bougainvillea is not listed on the ASPCA toxic plant lists for cats or dogs and is considered non-toxic. The main hazards are physical: sharp thorns can injure mouths and paws, and the sap is a mild skin/GI irritant that may cause drooling or mild stomach upset if a lot is chewed.

Yes — the ASPCA lists bougainvillea 'barbara karst' as non-toxic to cats and dogs. A cat that chews a large amount of any foliage can still get a mild, brief stomach upset, so discourage grazing, but it will not be poisoned.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst' is non-toxic to dogs as well. See the full bougainvillea 'barbara karst' pet-safety guide for both species.

Reliable ASPCA non-toxic picks for a cat home include spider plant, calathea, parlor palm, peperomia, and most true ferns. Browse the best cats-safe plants list to check more before you buy.