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Pet safety

Is New Zealand Snowberry toxic to cats?

Gaultheria antipoda

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists new zealand snowberry 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. Gaultheria antipoda is not individually listed by ASPCA. The Gaultheria genus contains methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen), a compound toxic to dogs and cats in concentrated amounts. Berries are not confirmed safe; treat as mildly toxic and prevent ingestion by pets and small children.

What to do if your cat ate new zealand snowberry

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move new zealand snowberry 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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of new zealand snowberry to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten new zealand snowberry, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is new zealand snowberry toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is new zealand snowberry toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists new zealand snowberry 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. Gaultheria antipoda is not individually listed by ASPCA. The Gaultheria genus contains methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen), a compound toxic to dogs and cats in concentrated amounts. Berries are not confirmed safe; treat as mildly toxic and prevent ingestion by pets and small children.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats new zealand snowberry?

Gaultheria antipoda is not individually listed by ASPCA. The Gaultheria genus contains methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen), a compound toxic to dogs and cats in concentrated amounts. Berries are not confirmed safe; treat as mildly toxic and prevent ingestion by pets and small 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 new zealand snowberry.

What should I do if my cat ate new zealand snowberry?

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 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is new zealand snowberry toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: New Zealand Snowberry is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full new zealand snowberry pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to new zealand snowberry?

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.

Type any plant to see what the ASPCA says about it and your cat.

Full new zealand snowberry pet-safety

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