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Pet safety

Is Sweet Box toxic to cats?

Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists sweet box 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. Sarcococca is not individually listed by the ASPCA. Its black berries are not edible and may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if eaten; as with any non-food plant, ingestion can prompt vomiting in cats and dogs. Treat with caution and verify with a vet rather than assuming it is safe.

What to do if your cat ate sweet box

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

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

Is sweet box toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is sweet box toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists sweet box 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. Sarcococca is not individually listed by the ASPCA. Its black berries are not edible and may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if eaten; as with any non-food plant, ingestion can prompt vomiting in cats and dogs. Treat with caution and verify with a vet rather than assuming it is safe.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats sweet box?

Sarcococca is not individually listed by the ASPCA. Its black berries are not edible and may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if eaten; as with any non-food plant, ingestion can prompt vomiting in cats and dogs. Treat with caution and verify with a vet rather than assuming it is safe. 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 sweet box.

What should I do if my cat ate sweet box?

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 sweet box toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to sweet box?

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 sweet box pet-safety