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Pet safety

Is Rocky Mountain Juniper toxic to cats?

Juniperus scopulorum

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists rocky mountain juniper 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. Juniperus scopulorum is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but junipers (Juniperus spp.) are recognised as minor-toxicity plants — ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhoea and gastrointestinal irritation in cats and dogs, and the genus includes the strongly irritant J. sabina. Treat as mildly toxic, keep prunings out of reach, and consult a vet if a pet eats it.

What to do if your cat ate rocky mountain juniper

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

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

Is rocky mountain juniper toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is rocky mountain juniper toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists rocky mountain juniper 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. Juniperus scopulorum is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but junipers (Juniperus spp.) are recognised as minor-toxicity plants — ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhoea and gastrointestinal irritation in cats and dogs, and the genus includes the strongly irritant J. sabina. Treat as mildly toxic, keep prunings out of reach, and consult a vet if a pet eats it.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats rocky mountain juniper?

Juniperus scopulorum is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but junipers (Juniperus spp.) are recognised as minor-toxicity plants — ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhoea and gastrointestinal irritation in cats and dogs, and the genus includes the strongly irritant J. sabina. Treat as mildly toxic, keep prunings out of reach, and consult a vet if a pet eats it. 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 rocky mountain juniper.

What should I do if my cat ate rocky mountain juniper?

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 rocky mountain juniper toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Rocky Mountain Juniper is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full rocky mountain juniper pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to rocky mountain juniper?

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 rocky mountain juniper pet-safety