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Pet safety

Is Honeyberry toxic to cats?

Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists honeyberry 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. Lonicera caerulea is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so its pet status is unconfirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The blue fruit is edible to people, but many ornamental Lonicera (honeysuckle) berries are not, so do not assume the genus is uniformly pet-safe and keep pets from grazing the plant.

What to do if your cat ate honeyberry

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

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

Is honeyberry toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is honeyberry toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists honeyberry 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. Lonicera caerulea is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so its pet status is unconfirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The blue fruit is edible to people, but many ornamental Lonicera (honeysuckle) berries are not, so do not assume the genus is uniformly pet-safe and keep pets from grazing the plant.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats honeyberry?

Lonicera caerulea is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so its pet status is unconfirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The blue fruit is edible to people, but many ornamental Lonicera (honeysuckle) berries are not, so do not assume the genus is uniformly pet-safe and keep pets from grazing the plant. 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 honeyberry.

What should I do if my cat ate honeyberry?

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 honeyberry toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to honeyberry?

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 honeyberry pet-safety