Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow - what should I do?
Brunfelsia species
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, tremors, seizures, and drooling.
Escalation note
Ingestion can lead to serious neurological signs. Please contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately if you suspect ingestion.
First aid at home
Bring any plant material or seed pods (or a clear photo) to the clinic so the team can confirm Brunfelsia. Do not induce vomiting at home, especially if your cat is already tremoring or seizing — call ASPCA APCC (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) and follow their instructions while you transport.
What to watch for
Look for hypersalivation and vomiting first, followed by tremors, twitching, agitation or anxious pacing, incoordination, and seizures. Diarrhea, lethargy, and coughing have also been reported. Seizures may persist or recur for several days.
Time window
Onset is typically within 2 hours but may take several hours. Seizures can persist for days in severe cases, so hospital monitoring is often required; exact timing for cats specifically is not well documented because most reported cases are in dogs.
When to call the vet
Call right away. Any suspected ingestion warrants an emergency visit, and any tremor, twitching, or seizure activity is reason to drive to the ER vet immediately. Phone the ASPCA APCC (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) on the way for guidance.
What this means for your cat
Cats are at risk from yesterday-today-and-tomorrow, though documented poisonings are far more common in dogs. ASPCA lists the plant as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses because of brunfelsamidine and related alkaloids that cause severe neurological signs; the same toxins are expected to affect cats, so any chewing or swallowing should be treated as an emergency.
Sources: ASPCA, NC State Extension.
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.