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Is Vancouver Jade Bearberry toxic to cats?

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 'Vancouver Jade'

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists vancouver jade bearberry 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 with the species, 'Vancouver Jade' contains arbutin and tannins. The berries are edible for humans in small quantities and a traditional food, but large consumption can cause gastrointestinal upset. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is not individually listed by the ASPCA as toxic to pets; however, arbutin (a hydroquinone glycoside) may be harmful to cats or dogs in quantity. Seek veterinary advice before allowing pet access.

What to do if your cat ate vancouver jade bearberry

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

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

Is vancouver jade bearberry toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is vancouver jade bearberry toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists vancouver jade bearberry 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 with the species, 'Vancouver Jade' contains arbutin and tannins. The berries are edible for humans in small quantities and a traditional food, but large consumption can cause gastrointestinal upset. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is not individually listed by the ASPCA as toxic to pets; however, arbutin (a hydroquinone glycoside) may be harmful to cats or dogs in quantity. Seek veterinary advice before allowing pet access.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats vancouver jade bearberry?

As with the species, 'Vancouver Jade' contains arbutin and tannins. The berries are edible for humans in small quantities and a traditional food, but large consumption can cause gastrointestinal upset. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is not individually listed by the ASPCA as toxic to pets; however, arbutin (a hydroquinone glycoside) may be harmful to cats or dogs in quantity. Seek veterinary advice before allowing pet access. 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 vancouver jade bearberry.

What should I do if my cat ate vancouver jade bearberry?

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 vancouver jade bearberry toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Vancouver Jade Bearberry is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full vancouver jade bearberry pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to vancouver jade bearberry?

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 vancouver jade bearberry pet-safety