Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Tree Tobacco - what should I do?
Nicotiana glauca
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, rapid heart rate, muscle weakness, and in severe cases, tremors or collapse.
Escalation note
Ingestion of any part of the plant can be dangerous. If you suspect your cat has consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately.
What to watch for
Early signs include drooling, vomiting, and a brief period of agitation or hyperexcitability, followed by depression, weakness, and incoordination. Severe cases progress to tremors, paralysis, abnormal heart rate, and respiratory distress.
Time window
Exact onset is not documented in the cited ASPCA entry. With nicotine as the toxic principle, signs are generally rapid in onset, which is why immediate veterinary care matters more than waiting to see what develops.
When to call the vet
Call immediately — do not wait to see if symptoms develop. Get to an emergency veterinary clinic and bring a sample of the plant if possible. ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.
What this means for your cat
Tree tobacco is severely toxic to cats — every part of the plant contains nicotine and the related alkaloid anabasine, which act on the nervous system and can be fatal even at modest doses. Treat any chewed-off leaf as urgent.
Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance).
Source references
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.