Black Hawthorn — (c) Afanasovich Alexey, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Afanasovich Alexey
Photo by (c) Afanasovich Alexey, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Afanasovich AlexeyiNaturalistCC BY
cat safety reference

Is Black Hawthorn safe for cats?

Crataegus douglasii

Crataegus douglasii is a deciduous shrub or small tree known for its dark, edible berries and thorny branches. It is generally considered safe for household pets, though its physical structure requires caution.

Black HawthornCrataegus douglasiiDouglas Hawthorn
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Habit
Shrub or small tree
Care
Low

Safety status

Cats

Generally safe

Consulted references do not classify the plant as toxic for that pet type, while still allowing for mild GI upset if large amounts are chewed.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

What this means for your cat

Black Hawthorn is safe for cats — ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats with no toxic principle identified. A cat that chews on a leaf, flower, or berry isn't expected to need treatment.

Sources: ASPCA.

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Catsconcern notes

Common signs

None typically expected from ingestion of plant material.

Escalation note

While non-toxic, consuming large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Contact your veterinarian if you observe persistent vomiting or lethargy.

Bring it home

Black Hawthornis generally pet-safe in ordinary household exposure. If you’d like one for your space, here’s a starting point.

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

The Black Hawthorn is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Cats & dogs pagedogs page

Same cat verdict

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