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Is Blue Rug Juniper toxic to cats?

Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii'

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists blue rug juniper 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. Juniperus horizontalis is not individually listed on the ASPCA database, but Juniperus species broadly contain volatile oils and labdane-type acids reported to cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in dogs and cats upon ingestion. Treat as mildly toxic; seek veterinary advice if a pet consumes foliage.

What to do if your cat ate blue rug juniper

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

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

Is blue rug juniper toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is blue rug juniper toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists blue rug juniper 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. Juniperus horizontalis is not individually listed on the ASPCA database, but Juniperus species broadly contain volatile oils and labdane-type acids reported to cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in dogs and cats upon ingestion. Treat as mildly toxic; seek veterinary advice if a pet consumes foliage.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats blue rug juniper?

Juniperus horizontalis is not individually listed on the ASPCA database, but Juniperus species broadly contain volatile oils and labdane-type acids reported to cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in dogs and cats upon ingestion. Treat as mildly toxic; seek veterinary advice if a pet consumes foliage. 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 blue rug juniper.

What should I do if my cat ate blue rug juniper?

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 blue rug juniper toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Blue Rug Juniper is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full blue rug juniper pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to blue rug juniper?

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 blue rug juniper pet-safety