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Is Red Elderberry toxic to cats?

Sambucus racemosa

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists red elderberry 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. Sambucus is listed by ASPCA as toxic to dogs and cats. Sambucus racemosa berries are more toxic than those of S. nigra when raw, and the leaves, bark, and roots contain cyanogenic glycosides and sambunigrin. Raw red elderberries can cause significant nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea in both humans and pets. Berries must be cooked before any human consumption; keep all raw plant material away from pets and children. Even ripe, red elderberries require processing — do not consume raw.

What to do if your cat ate red elderberry

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

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

Is red elderberry toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is red elderberry toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists red elderberry 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. Sambucus is listed by ASPCA as toxic to dogs and cats. Sambucus racemosa berries are more toxic than those of S. nigra when raw, and the leaves, bark, and roots contain cyanogenic glycosides and sambunigrin. Raw red elderberries can cause significant nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea in both humans and pets. Berries must be cooked before any human consumption; keep all raw plant material away from pets and children. Even ripe, red elderberries require processing — do not consume raw.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats red elderberry?

Sambucus is listed by ASPCA as toxic to dogs and cats. Sambucus racemosa berries are more toxic than those of S. nigra when raw, and the leaves, bark, and roots contain cyanogenic glycosides and sambunigrin. Raw red elderberries can cause significant nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea in both humans and pets. Berries must be cooked before any human consumption; keep all raw plant material away from pets and children. Even ripe, red elderberries require processing — do not consume raw. 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 elderberry.

What should I do if my cat ate red elderberry?

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 elderberry toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to red elderberry?

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 elderberry pet-safety