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Pet safety

Is True Service Tree toxic to cats?

Sorbus domestica

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists true service tree 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. Sorbus domestica is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic/non-toxic database, so treat with caution and verify with a vet. As with other Sorbus, raw fruit contains parasorbic acid (a GI irritant before bletting) and the seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, so foliage and unripe fruit should be kept away from pets.

What to do if your cat ate true service tree

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

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

Is true service tree toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is true service tree toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists true service tree 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. Sorbus domestica is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic/non-toxic database, so treat with caution and verify with a vet. As with other Sorbus, raw fruit contains parasorbic acid (a GI irritant before bletting) and the seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, so foliage and unripe fruit should be kept away from pets.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats true service tree?

Sorbus domestica is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic/non-toxic database, so treat with caution and verify with a vet. As with other Sorbus, raw fruit contains parasorbic acid (a GI irritant before bletting) and the seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, so foliage and unripe fruit should be kept away from pets. 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 true service tree.

What should I do if my cat ate true service tree?

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 true service tree toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: True Service Tree is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full true service tree pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to true service tree?

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 true service tree pet-safety