Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Black Locust - what should I do?
Robinia 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, abdominal pain, weakness, and potential cardiac irregularities.
Escalation note
Ingestion of any part of the plant is considered a medical emergency. Please contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately if ingestion is suspected.
First aid at home
Per Pet Poison Helpline, do not attempt home remedies and do not induce vomiting without first speaking to a poison control specialist or veterinarian. Bring a piece of the plant or seed pod for identification.
What to watch for
Vomiting (sometimes bloody), diarrhea (sometimes bloody), depression, refusal to eat, weakness, dilated pupils, cold extremities, and labored breathing. Severe cases can progress to collapse.
Time window
Exact onset and recovery times are not well documented in the cited sources. Both ASPCA and Pet Poison Helpline treat Black Locust ingestion as an emergency rather than a wait-and-see, so assume signs can appear within hours.
When to call the vet
Call your vet or the ASPCA APCC (888-426-4435) right away on any suspected chew. Bloody vomit or diarrhea, weakness, cold feet, or any breathing change means go to the emergency vet now — don't wait for symptoms to stack up.
What this means for your cat
Cats — toxic. Every part of Black Locust — bark, leaves, seeds, and pods — contains toxalbumins (robin, phasin, and robitin) that damage the GI tract and can stress the heart. Cats rarely chew on locust, but any nibble of bark or a swallowed seed deserves attention because toxalbumins are potent in small amounts.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.