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Pet safety

Is Shingle Oak toxic to cats?

Quercus imbricaria

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists shingle oak 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. Shingle Oak contains tannins and gallic acid in its acorns and foliage, as do all Quercus species. ASPCA lists Quercus (oak) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion of leaves or acorns — particularly in quantity — causes vomiting, diarrhea, and potential kidney injury. The winter-persistent marcescent leaves also remain a risk for browsing livestock when fresh foliage is absent.

What to do if your cat ate shingle oak

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

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

Is shingle oak toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is shingle oak toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists shingle oak 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. Shingle Oak contains tannins and gallic acid in its acorns and foliage, as do all Quercus species. ASPCA lists Quercus (oak) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion of leaves or acorns — particularly in quantity — causes vomiting, diarrhea, and potential kidney injury. The winter-persistent marcescent leaves also remain a risk for browsing livestock when fresh foliage is absent.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats shingle oak?

Shingle Oak contains tannins and gallic acid in its acorns and foliage, as do all Quercus species. ASPCA lists Quercus (oak) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion of leaves or acorns — particularly in quantity — causes vomiting, diarrhea, and potential kidney injury. The winter-persistent marcescent leaves also remain a risk for browsing livestock when fresh foliage is absent. 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 shingle oak.

What should I do if my cat ate shingle oak?

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 shingle oak toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to shingle oak?

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 shingle oak pet-safety