Is Flowering Cherry 'Kanzan' toxic to cats?

Yes — flowering cherry 'kanzan' is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. Flowering cherry (Prunus) is ASPCA-listed as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides that release cyanide, with wilting foliage especially dangerous. Although ornamental and not grown for fruit, fallen leaves and prunings pose the same poisoning risk — brick-red gums, dilated pupils, panting, breathing difficulty and shock. Keep pets from chewing leaves and prunings.

Flowering cherry (Prunus) is ASPCA-listed as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides that release cyanide, with wilting foliage especially dangerous. Although ornamental and not grown for fruit, fallen leaves and prunings pose the same poisoning risk — brick-red gums, dilated pupils, panting, breathing difficulty and shock. Keep pets from chewing leaves and prunings. 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 flowering cherry 'kanzan'.

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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Flowering Cherry 'Kanzan' is toxic to dogs as well. See the full flowering cherry 'kanzan' pet-safety guide for both species.

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.