Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Red escallonia toxic to cats?

Escallonia rubra

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists red escallonia 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. Escallonia rubra is not individually listed by ASPCA as toxic or non-toxic to pets. The genus has no well-documented severe toxic principle, but as with many ornamental shrubs, ingestion of large amounts of foliage or berries may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs or cats. Treat as mildly toxic as a precautionary measure pending definitive safety data.

What to do if your cat ate red escallonia

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

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

Is red escallonia toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is red escallonia toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists red escallonia 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. Escallonia rubra is not individually listed by ASPCA as toxic or non-toxic to pets. The genus has no well-documented severe toxic principle, but as with many ornamental shrubs, ingestion of large amounts of foliage or berries may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs or cats. Treat as mildly toxic as a precautionary measure pending definitive safety data.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats red escallonia?

Escallonia rubra is not individually listed by ASPCA as toxic or non-toxic to pets. The genus has no well-documented severe toxic principle, but as with many ornamental shrubs, ingestion of large amounts of foliage or berries may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs or cats. Treat as mildly toxic as a precautionary measure pending definitive safety data. 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 escallonia.

What should I do if my cat ate red escallonia?

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 escallonia toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to red escallonia?

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 escallonia pet-safety