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Is Red crowberry toxic to cats?

Empetrum rubrum

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists red crowberry 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. Empetrum rubrum berries are traditionally eaten by humans and wildlife. The genus is not individually listed by ASPCA. Related Empetrum species have no confirmed toxic principle for dogs or cats, but large ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Caution is advised until formal classification is available.

What to do if your cat ate red crowberry

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

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

Is red crowberry toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is red crowberry toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists red crowberry 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. Empetrum rubrum berries are traditionally eaten by humans and wildlife. The genus is not individually listed by ASPCA. Related Empetrum species have no confirmed toxic principle for dogs or cats, but large ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Caution is advised until formal classification is available.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats red crowberry?

Empetrum rubrum berries are traditionally eaten by humans and wildlife. The genus is not individually listed by ASPCA. Related Empetrum species have no confirmed toxic principle for dogs or cats, but large ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Caution is advised until formal classification is available. 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 red crowberry.

What should I do if my cat ate red crowberry?

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 red crowberry toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Red crowberry is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full red crowberry pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to red crowberry?

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 red crowberry pet-safety