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Pet safety

Is Butternut toxic to cats?

Juglans cinerea

Toxic to cats

Yes — butternut 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. Juglans is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but as a walnut, butternut shares the family hazards: moldy nuts and husks can harbour tremorgenic mycotoxins (penitrem A) causing tremors and seizures in dogs, and the oily kernels risk GI upset or pancreatitis. Juglone is toxic to horses and sensitive animals. Remove fallen nuts and husks from pet and livestock areas; consult a vet on any ingestion.

What to do if your cat ate butternut

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

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

Is butternut toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is butternut toxic to cats?

Yes — butternut is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. Juglans is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but as a walnut, butternut shares the family hazards: moldy nuts and husks can harbour tremorgenic mycotoxins (penitrem A) causing tremors and seizures in dogs, and the oily kernels risk GI upset or pancreatitis. Juglone is toxic to horses and sensitive animals. Remove fallen nuts and husks from pet and livestock areas; consult a vet on any ingestion.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats butternut?

Juglans is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but as a walnut, butternut shares the family hazards: moldy nuts and husks can harbour tremorgenic mycotoxins (penitrem A) causing tremors and seizures in dogs, and the oily kernels risk GI upset or pancreatitis. Juglone is toxic to horses and sensitive animals. Remove fallen nuts and husks from pet and livestock areas; consult a vet on any 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 butternut.

What should I do if my cat ate butternut?

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 butternut toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to butternut?

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 butternut pet-safety