Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Bay laurel toxic to cats?

Laurus nobilis

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists bay laurel as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA lists Laurus nobilis as toxic to cats and dogs due to eugenol and other essential oils. Large ingestions cause vomiting and diarrhoea; tough leathery leaves rarely tempt pets.

What to do if your cat ate bay laurel

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move bay laurel out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of bay laurel to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten bay laurel, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is bay laurel toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is bay laurel toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists bay laurel as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. ASPCA lists Laurus nobilis as toxic to cats and dogs due to eugenol and other essential oils. Large ingestions cause vomiting and diarrhoea; tough leathery leaves rarely tempt pets.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats bay laurel?

ASPCA lists Laurus nobilis as toxic to cats and dogs due to eugenol and other essential oils. Large ingestions cause vomiting and diarrhoea; tough leathery leaves rarely tempt pets. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to bay laurel.

What should I do if my cat ate bay laurel?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is bay laurel toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Bay laurel is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full bay laurel pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to bay laurel?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full bay laurel pet-safety