Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is box honeysuckle toxic to cats?

Lonicera nitida

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists box honeysuckle 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. Lonicera nitida berries are considered mildly toxic to humans and pets. Ingestion of berries can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea in dogs and cats. ASPCA does not list Lonicera nitida specifically, but Lonicera species generally carry mild toxicity warnings. Keep pets and children from eating the berries.

What to do if your cat ate box honeysuckle

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

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

Is box honeysuckle toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is box honeysuckle toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists box honeysuckle 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. Lonicera nitida berries are considered mildly toxic to humans and pets. Ingestion of berries can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea in dogs and cats. ASPCA does not list Lonicera nitida specifically, but Lonicera species generally carry mild toxicity warnings. Keep pets and children from eating the berries.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats box honeysuckle?

Lonicera nitida berries are considered mildly toxic to humans and pets. Ingestion of berries can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea in dogs and cats. ASPCA does not list Lonicera nitida specifically, but Lonicera species generally carry mild toxicity warnings. Keep pets and children from eating the berries. 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 box honeysuckle.

What should I do if my cat ate box honeysuckle?

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 box honeysuckle toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to box honeysuckle?

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 box honeysuckle pet-safety