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Pet safety

Is Darwin's barberry toxic to cats?

Berberis darwinii

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists darwin's barberry 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. Contains berberine alkaloids throughout the plant. Berries are mildly toxic to dogs and cats if consumed in quantity, potentially causing gastrointestinal upset. ASPCA does not individually list Berberis darwinii, but Berberis species are generally considered mildly toxic to pets due to berberine content.

What to do if your cat ate darwin's barberry

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

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

Is darwin's barberry toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is darwin's barberry toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists darwin's barberry 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. Contains berberine alkaloids throughout the plant. Berries are mildly toxic to dogs and cats if consumed in quantity, potentially causing gastrointestinal upset. ASPCA does not individually list Berberis darwinii, but Berberis species are generally considered mildly toxic to pets due to berberine content.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats darwin's barberry?

Contains berberine alkaloids throughout the plant. Berries are mildly toxic to dogs and cats if consumed in quantity, potentially causing gastrointestinal upset. ASPCA does not individually list Berberis darwinii, but Berberis species are generally considered mildly toxic to pets due to berberine content. 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 darwin's barberry.

What should I do if my cat ate darwin's barberry?

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 darwin's barberry toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Darwin's barberry is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full darwin's barberry pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to darwin's barberry?

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 darwin's barberry pet-safety