Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Dog Hobble - what should I do?
Leucothoe sp.
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
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and potential cardiac irregularities.
Escalation note
Ingestion can lead to significant gastrointestinal distress and systemic effects; contact your veterinarian immediately if ingestion is suspected.
What to watch for
Most-to-least common signs in cats: hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and depression. Severe cases can progress to low blood pressure, cardiovascular collapse, coma, and death.
Time window
ASPCA does not specify an onset window for cats; veterinary literature on grayanotoxin poisoning more broadly reports signs within roughly six hours of ingestion.
When to call the vet
Call immediately — even for a suspected nibble. Do not wait for symptoms. Call again or go to an emergency hospital if you see weakness, collapse, slow or irregular heartbeat, or unresponsiveness.
What this means for your cat
Dog hobble is one of the more dangerous Ericaceae plants for cats: ASPCA explicitly notes that ingestion of just a few leaves can cause serious problems. The grayanotoxins it contains can affect the heart and central nervous system, not just the gut.
Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance).
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.