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Is Chinese Sweetgum toxic to cats?

Liquidambar acalycina

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists chinese sweetgum 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. Liquidambar acalycina is not individually listed by ASPCA. Like other Liquidambar species it contains resinous terpenes and may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation if leaves or seed capsules are ingested by pets or children. Spiny gumballs also represent a mechanical hazard. Keep pets away from fallen seed clusters.

What to do if your cat ate chinese sweetgum

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

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

Is chinese sweetgum toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is chinese sweetgum toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists chinese sweetgum 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. Liquidambar acalycina is not individually listed by ASPCA. Like other Liquidambar species it contains resinous terpenes and may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation if leaves or seed capsules are ingested by pets or children. Spiny gumballs also represent a mechanical hazard. Keep pets away from fallen seed clusters.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats chinese sweetgum?

Liquidambar acalycina is not individually listed by ASPCA. Like other Liquidambar species it contains resinous terpenes and may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation if leaves or seed capsules are ingested by pets or children. Spiny gumballs also represent a mechanical hazard. Keep pets away from fallen seed clusters. 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 sweetgum.

What should I do if my cat ate chinese sweetgum?

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 chinese sweetgum toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to chinese sweetgum?

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 chinese sweetgum pet-safety