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Pet safety

Is Laced Up Elderberry toxic to cats?

Sambucus nigra 'Sambiance'

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists laced up elderberry 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. Sambucus nigra is listed by ASPCA as toxic to dogs and cats. Raw leaves, bark, unripe berries, and roots contain cyanogenic glycosides (sambunigrin) that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and lethargy if ingested. Keep pets away from this plant, particularly from fallen unripe berries.

What to do if your cat ate laced up elderberry

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

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

Is laced up elderberry toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is laced up elderberry toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists laced up elderberry 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. Sambucus nigra is listed by ASPCA as toxic to dogs and cats. Raw leaves, bark, unripe berries, and roots contain cyanogenic glycosides (sambunigrin) that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and lethargy if ingested. Keep pets away from this plant, particularly from fallen unripe berries.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats laced up elderberry?

Sambucus nigra is listed by ASPCA as toxic to dogs and cats. Raw leaves, bark, unripe berries, and roots contain cyanogenic glycosides (sambunigrin) that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and lethargy if ingested. Keep pets away from this plant, particularly from fallen unripe berries. 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 laced up elderberry.

What should I do if my cat ate laced up elderberry?

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 laced up elderberry toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Laced Up Elderberry is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full laced up elderberry pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to laced up elderberry?

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 laced up elderberry pet-safety