Is Chinese Honeysuckle toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists chinese 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. Combretum indicum is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The seeds contain quisqualic acid, an AMPA-receptor agonist linked to excitotoxicity at high doses and traditionally used as an anthelmintic. Flowers and leaves have a long history of traditional medicinal use and are not strongly toxic, but ingestion of seeds — especially by children or small pets — warrants caution. Consult a veterinarian if ingestion is suspected.

Combretum indicum is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The seeds contain quisqualic acid, an AMPA-receptor agonist linked to excitotoxicity at high doses and traditionally used as an anthelmintic. Flowers and leaves have a long history of traditional medicinal use and are not strongly toxic, but ingestion of seeds — especially by children or small pets — warrants caution. Consult a veterinarian if ingestion is suspected. 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 chinese 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.

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

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.