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Is False Indigo Bush toxic to cats?

Amorpha fruticosa

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists false indigo bush 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. Amorpha fruticosa contains rotenone-related and amorphin alkaloid compounds; while not specifically listed as toxic by ASPCA, ingestion of seeds or foliage has caused emesis and mild gastrointestinal upset in livestock records. Classified as mildly-toxic out of caution pending specific ASPCA listing.

What to do if your cat ate false indigo bush

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

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

Is false indigo bush toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is false indigo bush toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists false indigo bush 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. Amorpha fruticosa contains rotenone-related and amorphin alkaloid compounds; while not specifically listed as toxic by ASPCA, ingestion of seeds or foliage has caused emesis and mild gastrointestinal upset in livestock records. Classified as mildly-toxic out of caution pending specific ASPCA listing.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats false indigo bush?

Amorpha fruticosa contains rotenone-related and amorphin alkaloid compounds; while not specifically listed as toxic by ASPCA, ingestion of seeds or foliage has caused emesis and mild gastrointestinal upset in livestock records. Classified as mildly-toxic out of caution pending specific ASPCA listing. 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 false indigo bush.

What should I do if my cat ate false indigo bush?

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 false indigo bush toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: False Indigo Bush is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full false indigo bush pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to false indigo bush?

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 false indigo bush pet-safety