Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Rosemary Barberry toxic to cats?

Berberis × stenophylla

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists rosemary barberry 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. Berberis × stenophylla is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but the genus Berberis contains berberine and other alkaloids that are mildly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested in quantity. The berries can cause gastrointestinal upset; the spines also pose a mechanical hazard.

What to do if your cat ate rosemary barberry

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move rosemary barberry 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 rosemary barberry to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is rosemary barberry toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is rosemary barberry toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists rosemary barberry 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. Berberis × stenophylla is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but the genus Berberis contains berberine and other alkaloids that are mildly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested in quantity. The berries can cause gastrointestinal upset; the spines also pose a mechanical hazard.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats rosemary barberry?

Berberis × stenophylla is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but the genus Berberis contains berberine and other alkaloids that are mildly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested in quantity. The berries can cause gastrointestinal upset; the spines also pose a mechanical hazard. 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 rosemary barberry.

What should I do if my cat ate rosemary barberry?

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 rosemary barberry toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Rosemary Barberry is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full rosemary barberry pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to rosemary barberry?

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 rosemary barberry pet-safety