What should I do if my cat ate English Holly?

Don't try home remedies — Pet Poison Helpline specifically warns against giving milk, peanut butter, raw eggs, or table salt before calling. Remove any uneaten leaves or berries from your cat's reach, then call Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 before treating at home. Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 if you saw your cat eat berries, vomiting won't stop, or your cat is lethargic for more than a few hours.

What should I do if my dog ate English Holly?

Don't try home remedies — Pet Poison Helpline specifically warns against milk, peanut butter, raw eggs, or table salt before calling. Remove any uneaten leaves or berries from your dog's reach, then call Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 before doing anything else. Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 if you know your dog ate multiple berries, vomiting is severe or persists more than a few hours, or your dog seems unusually tired or won't drink.

English Holly — (c) Jennifer Aitkens, some rights reserved (CC BY) — Photo by (c) Jennifer Aitkens, some rights reserved (CC BY)iNaturalistCC BY

Photo by (c) Jennifer Aitkens, some rights reserved (CC BY)iNaturalistCC BY

Pet safety reference

English Holly

Q: Is English Holly safe for cats?

English Holly is potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion of the berries or leaves can lead to significant gastrointestinal upset. Please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center if you suspect your cat has ingested any part of this plant.

Q: Is English Holly safe for dogs?

English Holly is potentially toxic to dogs. The plant material can cause irritation to the digestive tract. If your dog has consumed this plant, monitor for signs of illness and consult your veterinarian for professional guidance.

Ilex aquifolium

English Holly is an evergreen shrub or tree known for its glossy, spiny leaves and bright red berries. While ornamental, the plant contains compounds that can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested by pets.

Check a list

Christmas HollyEnglish HollyEuropean HollyIlex aquifolium

Light: Partial shade to full sun
Habit: Shrub or small tree
Care: Moderate

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

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

Sources

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

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.

Cats — concern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.

Escalation note

Ingestion of the berries or leaves can lead to significant gastrointestinal upset. Please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center if you suspect your cat has ingested any part of this plant.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling.

Escalation note

The plant material can cause irritation to the digestive tract. If your dog has consumed this plant, monitor for signs of illness and consult your veterinarian for professional guidance.

Safer alternatives

No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Holly (Ilex aquifolium) is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Ilex aquifolium is an evergreen shrub with spiny leaves and red berries that are toxic if ingested.

cats safety page My cat ate English Holly dogs safety page My dog ate English Holly

Often compared with

English Holly vs American Holly

Same safety verdict

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