What should I do if my cat ate Common Privet?

Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) if you see persistent drooling, repeated vomiting, refusal of food, or any sign of weakness or trouble walking. Heart-rhythm or breathing changes are emergencies.

What should I do if my dog ate Common Privet?

Per Pet Poison Helpline general guidance for plant ingestions: remove your dog from the plant, confirm they're breathing and acting normally, and do NOT give home antidotes or induce vomiting unless instructed by your vet or Pet Poison Helpline. Call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately if you see repeated vomiting, weakness, stumbling, or any breathing changes. A small leaf nibble with no symptoms is still worth a call to establish a monitoring window.

Common Privet — (c) Petr Harant, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Petr Harant — Photo by (c) Petr Harant, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Petr HarantiNaturalistCC BY

Photo by (c) Petr Harant, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Petr HarantiNaturalistCC BY

Pet safety reference

Common Privet

Q: Is Common Privet safe for cats?

Common Privet is potentially toxic to cats. Ingestion of berries or foliage can cause significant digestive upset. Please contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your cat has ingested any part of this plant.

Q: Is Common Privet safe for dogs?

Common Privet is potentially toxic to dogs. Consumption of plant material may lead to moderate to severe gastrointestinal irritation. Always consult a veterinarian if your dog shows signs of illness after exposure.

Ligustrum vulgare

Common Privet is a semi-evergreen shrub often used for hedging that contains toxic compounds throughout the plant, particularly in the berries and leaves. Ingestion can lead to significant gastrointestinal distress in household pets.

Check a list

Common PrivetEuropean PrivetLigustrum vulgareWild Privet

Light: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Upright shrub
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, abdominal pain, and potential lethargy.

Escalation note

Ingestion of berries or foliage can cause significant digestive upset. Please contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your cat has ingested any part of this plant.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and potential drooling.

Escalation note

Consumption of plant material may lead to moderate to severe gastrointestinal irritation. Always consult a veterinarian if your dog shows signs of illness after exposure.

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

Privet is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs by the ASPCA.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Ligustrum vulgare is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub known for its toxicity if ingested.

cats safety page My cat ate Common Privet dogs safety page My dog ate Common Privet

Often compared with

Common Privet vs Japanese Privet

Same safety verdict

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