Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Japanese Laurel toxic to cats?

Aucuba japonica

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists japanese laurel 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. All parts of Aucuba japonica, especially the red berries, contain aucubin (an iridoid glycoside) which is toxic to dogs and cats. Ingestion typically causes gastrointestinal signs — vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling — and in large doses can cause neurological effects (trembling, disorientation) and potential liver or kidney stress. The plant is not individually listed by ASPCA but is widely documented as toxic to pets by veterinary authorities including UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Keep away from pets and children.

What to do if your cat ate japanese laurel

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

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

Is japanese laurel toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is japanese laurel toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists japanese laurel 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. All parts of Aucuba japonica, especially the red berries, contain aucubin (an iridoid glycoside) which is toxic to dogs and cats. Ingestion typically causes gastrointestinal signs — vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling — and in large doses can cause neurological effects (trembling, disorientation) and potential liver or kidney stress. The plant is not individually listed by ASPCA but is widely documented as toxic to pets by veterinary authorities including UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Keep away from pets and children.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats japanese laurel?

All parts of Aucuba japonica, especially the red berries, contain aucubin (an iridoid glycoside) which is toxic to dogs and cats. Ingestion typically causes gastrointestinal signs — vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling — and in large doses can cause neurological effects (trembling, disorientation) and potential liver or kidney stress. The plant is not individually listed by ASPCA but is widely documented as toxic to pets by veterinary authorities including UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Keep away from pets and children. 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 laurel.

What should I do if my cat ate japanese laurel?

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 laurel toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to japanese laurel?

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 laurel pet-safety