Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate American Mistletoe - what should I do?
Phoradendron flavescens
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, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, low blood pressure or slowed heart rate.
Escalation note
Ingestion can lead to significant clinical signs; 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
Mild signs are drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, usually starting within a few hours. Larger ingestions can cause wobbly walking, a slow or irregular heart rate, low blood pressure, labored breathing, or collapse — these are uncommon but real.
Time window
Mild GI signs usually appear within a few hours of ingestion. Cardiac signs from large ingestions can develop quickly. Most mild cases resolve in 24–48 hours with supportive care.
When to call the vet
Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 right away if your cat ate any berries, leaves, or stems. Any cardiac signs (slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat), weakness, seizures, or collapse should be treated as a same-hour emergency.
What this means for your cat
Cats are unlikely to chew mistletoe deliberately but often investigate berries or leaves that fall during the holidays. American mistletoe contains phoratoxins and lectins that most often cause mild stomach upset in cats, though larger amounts can disturb heart rhythm and blood pressure. Keep cut sprigs and dropped berries off the floor and counters.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.