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Pet safety

Is Serviceberry toxic to cats?

Amelanchier lamarckii

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists serviceberry 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. Amelanchier is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so its pet status is unconfirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The ripe berries are widely eaten by people, but seeds of many rose-family fruits contain trace cyanogenic compounds, so discourage pets from chewing large quantities of leaves or seeds.

What to do if your cat ate serviceberry

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

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

Is serviceberry toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is serviceberry toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists serviceberry 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. Amelanchier is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so its pet status is unconfirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The ripe berries are widely eaten by people, but seeds of many rose-family fruits contain trace cyanogenic compounds, so discourage pets from chewing large quantities of leaves or seeds.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats serviceberry?

Amelanchier is not individually listed by the ASPCA, so its pet status is unconfirmed; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The ripe berries are widely eaten by people, but seeds of many rose-family fruits contain trace cyanogenic compounds, so discourage pets from chewing large quantities of leaves or seeds. 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 serviceberry.

What should I do if my cat ate serviceberry?

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 serviceberry toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to serviceberry?

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 serviceberry pet-safety