Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Brewer's Mountain Heather toxic to cats?

Phyllodoce breweri

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists brewer's mountain heather 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. Phyllodoce is in the Ericaceae family. It is not individually listed by ASPCA, but Ericaceae species broadly contain grayanotoxins, which can cause gastrointestinal upset and, in large quantities, more serious effects. Treat with caution around pets and children; avoid ingestion.

What to do if your cat ate brewer's mountain heather

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

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

Is brewer's mountain heather toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is brewer's mountain heather toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists brewer's mountain heather 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. Phyllodoce is in the Ericaceae family. It is not individually listed by ASPCA, but Ericaceae species broadly contain grayanotoxins, which can cause gastrointestinal upset and, in large quantities, more serious effects. Treat with caution around pets and children; avoid ingestion.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats brewer's mountain heather?

Phyllodoce is in the Ericaceae family. It is not individually listed by ASPCA, but Ericaceae species broadly contain grayanotoxins, which can cause gastrointestinal upset and, in large quantities, more serious effects. Treat with caution around pets and children; avoid ingestion. 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 brewer's mountain heather.

What should I do if my cat ate brewer's mountain heather?

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 brewer's mountain heather toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Brewer's Mountain Heather is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full brewer's mountain heather pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to brewer's mountain heather?

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 brewer's mountain heather pet-safety