Is Mountain Pine toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists mountain pine 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. Pinus mugo is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant lists, so its status is unconfirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The ASPCA does list ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) as non-toxic to cats and dogs, but pine needles, bark and sap can cause mild oral and gastrointestinal irritation if chewed.

Pinus mugo is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant lists, so its status is unconfirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The ASPCA does list ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) as non-toxic to cats and dogs, but pine needles, bark and sap can cause mild oral and gastrointestinal irritation if chewed. 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 pine.

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.

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

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.