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Pet safety

Is Bunya Pine toxic to cats?

Araucaria bidwillii

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists bunya pine 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. Araucaria bidwillii is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The related Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs, but this species is unclassified, so treat it cautiously. Stiff, sharp-pointed foliage can cause oral and digestive-tract injury if chewed, and the huge falling cones are a physical hazard. The nuts are a human food. Verify with a vet if a pet ingests any part.

What to do if your cat ate bunya pine

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

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

Is bunya pine toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is bunya pine toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists bunya pine 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. Araucaria bidwillii is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The related Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs, but this species is unclassified, so treat it cautiously. Stiff, sharp-pointed foliage can cause oral and digestive-tract injury if chewed, and the huge falling cones are a physical hazard. The nuts are a human food. Verify with a vet if a pet ingests any part.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats bunya pine?

Araucaria bidwillii is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The related Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs, but this species is unclassified, so treat it cautiously. Stiff, sharp-pointed foliage can cause oral and digestive-tract injury if chewed, and the huge falling cones are a physical hazard. The nuts are a human food. Verify with a vet if a pet ingests any part. 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 bunya pine.

What should I do if my cat ate bunya pine?

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 bunya pine toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to bunya pine?

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 bunya pine pet-safety