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Pet safety

Is Scarlet Leucothoe toxic to cats?

Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Scarletta'

Toxic to cats

Yes — scarlet leucothoe is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA lists Leucothoe (Dog Hobble) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is grayanotoxin, which disrupts sodium-ion channels in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Ingestion of even a few leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, hypersalivation, depression, weakness, cardiovascular collapse, low blood pressure, coma, and death.

What to do if your cat ate scarlet leucothoe

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

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

Is scarlet leucothoe toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is scarlet leucothoe toxic to cats?

Yes — scarlet leucothoe is toxic to cats according to the ASPCA. Keep it well away from any cat that chews plants; reactions can be significant. ASPCA lists Leucothoe (Dog Hobble) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is grayanotoxin, which disrupts sodium-ion channels in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Ingestion of even a few leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, hypersalivation, depression, weakness, cardiovascular collapse, low blood pressure, coma, and death.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats scarlet leucothoe?

ASPCA lists Leucothoe (Dog Hobble) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principle is grayanotoxin, which disrupts sodium-ion channels in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Ingestion of even a few leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, hypersalivation, depression, weakness, cardiovascular collapse, low blood pressure, coma, and death. 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 scarlet leucothoe.

What should I do if my cat ate scarlet leucothoe?

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 scarlet leucothoe toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Scarlet Leucothoe is toxic to dogs as well. See the full scarlet leucothoe pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to scarlet leucothoe?

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 scarlet leucothoe pet-safety