Is Oriental Arborvitae toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists oriental arborvitae 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. Platycladus orientalis is not individually listed by ASPCA. Arborvitae foliage contains thujone, a monoterpene ketone that can cause gastrointestinal upset, excessive salivation, and mild neurological signs in dogs and cats if ingested in quantity. Seeds and foliage should be kept away from pets and children.

Platycladus orientalis is not individually listed by ASPCA. Arborvitae foliage contains thujone, a monoterpene ketone that can cause gastrointestinal upset, excessive salivation, and mild neurological signs in dogs and cats if ingested in quantity. Seeds and foliage should be kept 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 oriental arborvitae.

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: Oriental Arborvitae is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full oriental arborvitae 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.