Russian Olive — (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman
Photo by (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas GoldmaniNaturalistCC BY-SA
cat safety reference

Is Russian Olive safe for cats?

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Russian Olive is a hardy, deciduous shrub or small tree known for its silvery foliage and fragrant, inconspicuous flowers. While generally considered non-toxic, it is not intended for consumption by pets.

Elaeagnus angustifoliaElaeagnus speciesOleasterSilver Berry
Light
Full Sun
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

Cats can be around Russian Olive without poisoning concerns — ASPCA lists Elaeagnus as non-toxic to cats, with no toxic principle on file.

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 expected from typical contact; large ingestions of fibrous plant material may cause mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

The plant is non-toxic, but any significant ingestion of plant matter should be monitored. Contact your veterinarian if your pet shows persistent signs of discomfort.

Bring it home

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

Shop on Amazon

Some links earn us a small commission. They never affect our safety classifications.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Russian Olive is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Elaeagnus angustifolia is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the Elaeagnaceae family.

Cats & dogs pagedogs page

Same cat verdict

Related plants for cats