Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Boxwood - what should I do?
Buxus spp.
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, and abdominal pain.
Escalation note
Ingestion can lead to significant gastrointestinal upset. Please contact your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has consumed any part of this plant.
First aid at home
Remove any leaves still in the cat's mouth and bag a sample for the vet. Offer water but don't force it. Do not induce vomiting at home. Call ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) or your vet for guidance on whether to come in.
What to watch for
Vomiting and diarrhea are the primary signs. Cats often drool or paw at the mouth from the bitter taste. With heavier ingestion (uncommon for cats), look for dehydration, lethargy, or refusal to drink in the first 24 hours.
Time window
Sources do not specify exact onset for cats; case reports suggest GI signs can appear relatively quickly after a nibble. There is no specific antidote — care is supportive, and uncomplicated cases typically settle within 24 hours.
When to call the vet
Call if vomiting or diarrhea continues past a few hours, your cat won't drink, or she becomes weak. Kittens, elderly cats, or any cat with kidney or GI disease should be seen sooner.
What this means for your cat
Boxwood is toxic to cats per ASPCA — it contains a butter-like oil and three alkaloids (buxine, cyclobuxine, cycloprotobuxine). The leaves are extremely bitter, so most cats stop after a nibble and serious cases are uncommon, but even a small bite typically triggers vomiting and diarrhea. Fatalities are rare in cats.
Sources: ASPCA, Wag! Veterinary.
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.