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Pet safety

Is snowball bush toxic to cats?

Viburnum opulus 'Roseum'

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists snowball bush 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. As a cultivar of Viburnum opulus, shares the same toxicity profile. Not listed on the ASPCA toxic-plant list for dogs or cats, but the foliage and plant sap can cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested. Being sterile it produces no berries, removing the primary ingestion risk associated with the species.

What to do if your cat ate snowball bush

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

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

Is snowball bush toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is snowball bush toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists snowball bush 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. As a cultivar of Viburnum opulus, shares the same toxicity profile. Not listed on the ASPCA toxic-plant list for dogs or cats, but the foliage and plant sap can cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested. Being sterile it produces no berries, removing the primary ingestion risk associated with the species.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats snowball bush?

As a cultivar of Viburnum opulus, shares the same toxicity profile. Not listed on the ASPCA toxic-plant list for dogs or cats, but the foliage and plant sap can cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested. Being sterile it produces no berries, removing the primary ingestion risk associated with the species. 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 snowball bush.

What should I do if my cat ate snowball bush?

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 snowball bush toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to snowball bush?

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 snowball bush pet-safety