Is Bougainvillea spectabilis toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists bougainvillea spectabilis 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. Bougainvillea is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant lists, so treat its safety as uncertain and verify with a vet. It is not known to contain serious systemic toxins, but the milky sap is a mild irritant that can cause mouth and skin irritation or mild gastrointestinal upset if chewed, and the sharp thorns are a genuine physical hazard to inquisitive pets.

Bougainvillea is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant lists, so treat its safety as uncertain and verify with a vet. It is not known to contain serious systemic toxins, but the milky sap is a mild irritant that can cause mouth and skin irritation or mild gastrointestinal upset if chewed, and the sharp thorns are a genuine physical hazard to inquisitive 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 bougainvillea spectabilis.

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.

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

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.