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Pet safety

Is Oriental Arborvitae toxic to dogs?

Platycladus orientalis

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists oriental arborvitae as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog 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. Platycladus orientalis is not individually listed by ASPCA. Arborvitae foliage contains thujone, a monoterpene ketone that can cause gastrointestinal upset, excessive salivation, and mild neurological signs in dogs and cats if ingested in quantity. Seeds and foliage should be kept away from pets and children.

What to do if your dog ate oriental arborvitae

  1. Remove any plant material from your dog's mouth and move oriental arborvitae 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 oriental arborvitae to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is oriental arborvitae toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is oriental arborvitae toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists oriental arborvitae as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Platycladus orientalis is not individually listed by ASPCA. Arborvitae foliage contains thujone, a monoterpene ketone that can cause gastrointestinal upset, excessive salivation, and mild neurological signs in dogs and cats if ingested in quantity. Seeds and foliage should be kept away from pets and children.

What are the symptoms if a dog eats oriental arborvitae?

Platycladus orientalis is not individually listed by ASPCA. Arborvitae foliage contains thujone, a monoterpene ketone that can cause gastrointestinal upset, excessive salivation, and mild neurological signs in dogs and cats if ingested in quantity. Seeds and foliage should be kept away from pets and children. 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 dog has had access to oriental arborvitae.

What should I do if my dog ate oriental arborvitae?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your dog'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 oriental arborvitae toxic to cats too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Oriental Arborvitae is mildly toxic to cats as well. See the full oriental arborvitae pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a dog-safe alternative to oriental arborvitae?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best dogs-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full oriental arborvitae pet-safety