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Is Willow Oak toxic to cats?

Quercus phellos

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists willow oak 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 Quercus species, Willow Oak leaves and especially acorns contain tannins and gallic acid that are toxic to horses, cattle, dogs, and cats when ingested in significant quantities. ASPCA lists Quercus (oak) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and in serious cases kidney damage. The small, abundant acorns of this species pose a particular ingestion risk for dogs.

What to do if your cat ate willow oak

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

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

Is willow oak toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is willow oak toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists willow oak 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 Quercus species, Willow Oak leaves and especially acorns contain tannins and gallic acid that are toxic to horses, cattle, dogs, and cats when ingested in significant quantities. ASPCA lists Quercus (oak) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and in serious cases kidney damage. The small, abundant acorns of this species pose a particular ingestion risk for dogs.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats willow oak?

As a Quercus species, Willow Oak leaves and especially acorns contain tannins and gallic acid that are toxic to horses, cattle, dogs, and cats when ingested in significant quantities. ASPCA lists Quercus (oak) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and in serious cases kidney damage. The small, abundant acorns of this species pose a particular ingestion risk for dogs. 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 willow oak.

What should I do if my cat ate willow oak?

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 willow oak toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to willow oak?

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 willow oak pet-safety