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Pet safety

Is Japanese barberry toxic to cats?

Berberis thunbergii

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists japanese barberry 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. Berberine-containing plant; the berries are mildly toxic to dogs and cats if ingested in quantity, causing vomiting and diarrhea. ASPCA does not individually list Berberis thunbergii, but the genus is considered mildly toxic to pets due to berberine alkaloids. Keep pets away from berry clusters.

What to do if your cat ate japanese barberry

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

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

Is japanese barberry toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is japanese barberry toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists japanese barberry 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. Berberine-containing plant; the berries are mildly toxic to dogs and cats if ingested in quantity, causing vomiting and diarrhea. ASPCA does not individually list Berberis thunbergii, but the genus is considered mildly toxic to pets due to berberine alkaloids. Keep pets away from berry clusters.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats japanese barberry?

Berberine-containing plant; the berries are mildly toxic to dogs and cats if ingested in quantity, causing vomiting and diarrhea. ASPCA does not individually list Berberis thunbergii, but the genus is considered mildly toxic to pets due to berberine alkaloids. Keep pets away from berry clusters. 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 japanese barberry.

What should I do if my cat ate japanese barberry?

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 japanese barberry toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to japanese barberry?

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 japanese barberry pet-safety