What should I do if my cat ate American Holly?

Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if vomiting persists, diarrhea is bloody or watery, your cat won't eat, or you saw multiple berries or leaves consumed. Sooner is better with kittens or small cats.

What should I do if my dog ate American Holly?

Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea is repeated, if your dog stops drinking, or if you see blood, severe lethargy, or obvious mouth injury. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 right away if a small dog ate berries or you don't know how much was eaten.

American Holly — (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

Photo by (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas GoldmaniNaturalistCC BY-SA

Pet safety reference

American Holly

Q: Is American Holly safe for cats?

American Holly is potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion of the leaves or berries typically results in mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat has ingested any part of this plant.

Q: Is American Holly safe for dogs?

American Holly is potentially toxic to dogs. Ingestion of the leaves or berries typically results in mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset. Please contact your veterinarian if your dog has ingested any part of this plant.

Ilex opaca

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

Check a list

American HollyIlex opaca

Light: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Tree or large shrub
Care: Low

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 leaves or berries typically results in mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset. Please contact your veterinarian if your cat has ingested any part of this plant.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.

Escalation note

Ingestion of the leaves or berries typically results in mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset. Please contact your veterinarian if your dog has ingested any part of this plant.

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

American Holly is toxic to both cats and dogs, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Ilex opaca is a native evergreen tree with spiny leaves and red berries that are toxic if ingested.

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

Often compared with

American Holly vs English Holly

Same safety verdict

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