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Is white double camellia toxic to cats?

Camellia japonica 'Alba Plena'

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists white double camellia 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. Camellia japonica is listed by ASPCA as non-toxic to dogs and cats. However, the genus contains trace caffeine-like alkaloids; ingestion of significant quantities of foliage or seeds may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Exercise caution and prevent pets from regularly chewing plant material.

What to do if your cat ate white double camellia

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

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

Is white double camellia toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is white double camellia toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists white double camellia 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. Camellia japonica is listed by ASPCA as non-toxic to dogs and cats. However, the genus contains trace caffeine-like alkaloids; ingestion of significant quantities of foliage or seeds may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Exercise caution and prevent pets from regularly chewing plant material.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats white double camellia?

Camellia japonica is listed by ASPCA as non-toxic to dogs and cats. However, the genus contains trace caffeine-like alkaloids; ingestion of significant quantities of foliage or seeds may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Exercise caution and prevent pets from regularly chewing plant material. 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 white double camellia.

What should I do if my cat ate white double camellia?

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 white double camellia toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to white double camellia?

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 white double camellia pet-safety