Is Hackberry Bonsai toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists hackberry bonsai 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. Celtis occidentalis is not individually listed in the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant database, so its pet safety is uncertain; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The ripe drupes are edible to humans and birds, but the species is not affirmatively cleared for pets, so discourage chewing of foliage or fallen fruit.

Celtis occidentalis is not individually listed in the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant database, so its pet safety is uncertain; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The ripe drupes are edible to humans and birds, but the species is not affirmatively cleared for pets, so discourage chewing of foliage or fallen fruit. 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 hackberry bonsai.

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.

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Hackberry Bonsai is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full hackberry bonsai 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.