Oregon Grape — no rights reserved, uploaded by Craig Martin
Photo by no rights reserved, uploaded by Craig MartiniNaturalistCC0
cat safety reference

Is Oregon Grape safe for cats?

Mahonia aquifolium

Oregon Grape is a hardy evergreen shrub known for its holly-like leaves and clusters of yellow flowers followed by dark blue berries. It is generally considered safe for household pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Creeping MahoniaHolly-leaved BarberryMahonia aquifolium
Light
Partial shade to full sun
Habit
Shrub
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

Safe for cats — the ASPCA lists Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) as non-toxic to cats, with no toxic principle and no clinical signs documented.

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, though large ingestions of fibrous plant matter may lead to mild vomiting or diarrhea.

Escalation note

The plant is non-toxic. If your cat consumes a significant amount and shows signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.

Bring it home

Oregon Grapeis 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

Non-toxic to dogs and cats.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Mahonia aquifolium is an evergreen shrub native to the Pacific Northwest.

Cats & dogs pagedogs page

Same cat verdict

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