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Pet safety

Is Downy Oak toxic to cats?

Quercus pubescens

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists downy oak 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. As with all Quercus species, leaves and acorns contain gallotannins. ASPCA lists oak as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion of large quantities of acorns or young leaves can cause gastrointestinal distress and, in livestock, kidney damage. Casual contact is not harmful, but keep pets and horses away from fallen acorns.

What to do if your cat ate downy oak

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

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

Is downy oak toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is downy oak toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists downy oak 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. As with all Quercus species, leaves and acorns contain gallotannins. ASPCA lists oak as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion of large quantities of acorns or young leaves can cause gastrointestinal distress and, in livestock, kidney damage. Casual contact is not harmful, but keep pets and horses away from fallen acorns.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats downy oak?

As with all Quercus species, leaves and acorns contain gallotannins. ASPCA lists oak as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion of large quantities of acorns or young leaves can cause gastrointestinal distress and, in livestock, kidney damage. Casual contact is not harmful, but keep pets and horses away from fallen acorns. 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 downy oak.

What should I do if my cat ate downy oak?

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 downy oak toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Downy Oak is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full downy oak pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to downy oak?

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 downy oak pet-safety