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Pet safety

Is Lady of the Night toxic to cats?

Brunfelsia americana

Toxic to cats

Yes — lady of the night is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA classifies Brunfelsia as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is brunfelsamidine, a convulsant alkaloid. Clinical signs of ingestion include tremors, prolonged seizures (lasting several days), vomiting, diarrhoea, hypersalivation, lethargy, and incoordination. All parts of the plant contain toxins, with the highest concentrations in the berries and seed pods. This plant should never be grown where pets or children have unsupervised access. If ingestion is suspected, contact a veterinarian immediately or call the ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.

What to do if your cat ate lady of the night

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

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

Is lady of the night toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is lady of the night toxic to cats?

Yes — lady of the night is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. ASPCA classifies Brunfelsia as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is brunfelsamidine, a convulsant alkaloid. Clinical signs of ingestion include tremors, prolonged seizures (lasting several days), vomiting, diarrhoea, hypersalivation, lethargy, and incoordination. All parts of the plant contain toxins, with the highest concentrations in the berries and seed pods. This plant should never be grown where pets or children have unsupervised access. If ingestion is suspected, contact a veterinarian immediately or call the ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats lady of the night?

ASPCA classifies Brunfelsia as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is brunfelsamidine, a convulsant alkaloid. Clinical signs of ingestion include tremors, prolonged seizures (lasting several days), vomiting, diarrhoea, hypersalivation, lethargy, and incoordination. All parts of the plant contain toxins, with the highest concentrations in the berries and seed pods. This plant should never be grown where pets or children have unsupervised access. If ingestion is suspected, contact a veterinarian immediately or call the ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. 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 lady of the night.

What should I do if my cat ate lady of the night?

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 lady of the night toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Lady of the Night is toxic to dogs as well. See the full lady of the night pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to lady of the night?

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 lady of the night pet-safety