Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Ohio Buckeye - what should I do?
Aesculus glabra
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, drooling, and in severe cases, tremors or incoordination.
Escalation note
Ingestion can lead to significant gastrointestinal distress. Please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center immediately if you suspect your cat has consumed any part of this plant.
What to watch for
Oral irritation, burning of the mouth and throat, increased thirst, vomiting, and diarrhea. With larger ingestions: depression or excitement, dilated pupils, weakness, unsteadiness, seizures, and signs consistent with kidney injury.
Time window
Exact onset is not given as specific numbers in the cited sources; clinical signs of saponin and aesculin poisoning usually develop within a few hours of ingestion.
When to call the vet
Call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately if you saw your cat chew on leaves, flowers, or a buckeye nut, or if you see oral burning, repeated vomiting, weakness, or any neurologic sign.
What this means for your cat
Ohio Buckeye is toxic to cats, with the cited sources flagging both severe gastrointestinal upset and — for cats specifically — oral burning, increased thirst, and possible kidney involvement. Cats rarely chew on the woody nuts in quantity, but any ingestion of leaves, flowers, or a buckeye nut warrants action.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline (no first-aid guidance).
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.