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Pet safety

Is Flowering Dogwood toxic to cats?

Cornus florida

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists flowering dogwood 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. Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic/non-toxic plant database; it is broadly regarded as non-toxic, but because it is not ASPCA-confirmed, treat it as uncertain and verify with a vet. The berries may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if eaten in quantity.

What to do if your cat ate flowering dogwood

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

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

Is flowering dogwood toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is flowering dogwood toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists flowering dogwood 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. Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic/non-toxic plant database; it is broadly regarded as non-toxic, but because it is not ASPCA-confirmed, treat it as uncertain and verify with a vet. The berries may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if eaten in quantity.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats flowering dogwood?

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is not individually listed in the ASPCA toxic/non-toxic plant database; it is broadly regarded as non-toxic, but because it is not ASPCA-confirmed, treat it as uncertain and verify with a vet. The berries may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if eaten in quantity. 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 dogwood.

What should I do if my cat ate flowering dogwood?

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 flowering dogwood toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Flowering Dogwood is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full flowering dogwood pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to flowering dogwood?

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 flowering dogwood pet-safety