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Pet safety

Is Mountain Fire pieris toxic to cats?

Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire'

Toxic to cats

Yes — mountain fire pieris is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. All parts of Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire' are toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and humans due to the presence of grayanotoxins. Symptoms of ingestion include excessive salivation, vomiting, weakness, low blood pressure, and potentially fatal cardiac effects. Contact with the sap can also irritate skin.

What to do if your cat ate mountain fire pieris

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

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

Is mountain fire pieris toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is mountain fire pieris toxic to cats?

Yes — mountain fire pieris is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. All parts of Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire' are toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and humans due to the presence of grayanotoxins. Symptoms of ingestion include excessive salivation, vomiting, weakness, low blood pressure, and potentially fatal cardiac effects. Contact with the sap can also irritate skin.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats mountain fire pieris?

All parts of Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire' are toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and humans due to the presence of grayanotoxins. Symptoms of ingestion include excessive salivation, vomiting, weakness, low blood pressure, and potentially fatal cardiac effects. Contact with the sap can also irritate skin. 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 mountain fire pieris.

What should I do if my cat ate mountain fire pieris?

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 mountain fire pieris toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Mountain Fire pieris is toxic to dogs as well. See the full mountain fire pieris pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to mountain fire pieris?

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 mountain fire pieris pet-safety