Growli
Let's go

Pet safety

Is Sea Buckthorn toxic to cats?

Hippophae rhamnoides

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists sea buckthorn 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. Hippophae rhamnoides is not individually listed by the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant database, so its status for cats and dogs is unconfirmed. The berries are widely eaten by humans, but pet safety is not established and the sharp thorns are a physical hazard. Treat with caution and verify with a vet.

What to do if your cat ate sea buckthorn

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

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

Is sea buckthorn toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is sea buckthorn toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists sea buckthorn 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. Hippophae rhamnoides is not individually listed by the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant database, so its status for cats and dogs is unconfirmed. The berries are widely eaten by humans, but pet safety is not established and the sharp thorns are a physical hazard. Treat with caution and verify with a vet.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats sea buckthorn?

Hippophae rhamnoides is not individually listed by the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant database, so its status for cats and dogs is unconfirmed. The berries are widely eaten by humans, but pet safety is not established and the sharp thorns are a physical hazard. Treat with caution and verify with a vet. 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 sea buckthorn.

What should I do if my cat ate sea buckthorn?

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 sea buckthorn toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Sea Buckthorn is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full sea buckthorn pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to sea buckthorn?

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 sea buckthorn pet-safety