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Is Creeping snowberry toxic to cats?

Gaultheria nummularioides

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists creeping snowberry 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. Gaultheria nummularioides is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The berries have been consumed by local people in parts of the Himalayas but large quantities may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets or sensitive individuals due to the methyl salicylate content shared across the Gaultheria genus. Exercise caution with pets and children. Consult a vet if significant ingestion occurs.

What to do if your cat ate creeping snowberry

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

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

Is creeping snowberry toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is creeping snowberry toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists creeping snowberry 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. Gaultheria nummularioides is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The berries have been consumed by local people in parts of the Himalayas but large quantities may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets or sensitive individuals due to the methyl salicylate content shared across the Gaultheria genus. Exercise caution with pets and children. Consult a vet if significant ingestion occurs.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats creeping snowberry?

Gaultheria nummularioides is not individually listed by the ASPCA. The berries have been consumed by local people in parts of the Himalayas but large quantities may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets or sensitive individuals due to the methyl salicylate content shared across the Gaultheria genus. Exercise caution with pets and children. Consult a vet if significant ingestion occurs. 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 creeping snowberry.

What should I do if my cat ate creeping snowberry?

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 creeping snowberry toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to creeping snowberry?

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 creeping snowberry pet-safety