Cats
Potentially toxicConsulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
cat safety reference
Is American Mistletoe safe for cats?
Phoradendron flavescens
American Mistletoe is a hemiparasitic shrub often used in holiday decor that contains compounds capable of causing significant gastrointestinal and cardiovascular distress if ingested. Due to the potential for serious health complications, it should be kept strictly out of reach of all pets.
American MistletoeOak MistletoePhoradendron flavescensPhoradendron leucarpum
- Light
- Bright indirect light
- Habit
- Parasitic shrub
- Care
- High (requires host plant)
Safety status
What this means for your cat
Cats are unlikely to chew mistletoe deliberately but often investigate berries or leaves that fall during the holidays. American mistletoe contains phoratoxins and lectins that most often cause mild stomach upset in cats, though larger amounts can disturb heart rhythm and blood pressure. Keep cut sprigs and dropped berries off the floor and counters.
What to watch for
Mild signs are drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, usually starting within a few hours. Larger ingestions can cause wobbly walking, a slow or irregular heart rate, low blood pressure, labored breathing, or collapse — these are uncommon but real.
Time window
Mild GI signs usually appear within a few hours of ingestion. Cardiac signs from large ingestions can develop quickly. Most mild cases resolve in 24–48 hours with supportive care.
When to call the vet
Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 right away if your cat ate any berries, leaves, or stems. Any cardiac signs (slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat), weakness, seizures, or collapse should be treated as a same-hour emergency.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
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
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, low blood pressure or slowed heart rate.
Escalation note
Ingestion can lead to significant clinical signs; please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center immediately if you suspect your cat has consumed 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
Questions about American Mistletoe
Is American mistletoe toxic to cats?
Yes, American mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescens) is toxic to cats. It contains compounds that can cause significant gastrointestinal and cardiovascular distress, and even small amounts of berries, leaves, or stems warrant immediate veterinary attention.
What symptoms will a cat show after eating mistletoe?
Mild signs include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, typically appearing within a few hours of ingestion. Larger ingestions can cause more serious symptoms such as wobbly walking, a slow or irregular heart rate, low blood pressure, labored breathing, or collapse.
What should I do if my cat ate mistletoe?
Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away — do not wait for symptoms to appear. If your cat shows any cardiac signs such as a slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat, weakness, seizures, or collapse, treat it as a same-hour emergency.
How quickly does mistletoe poisoning develop in cats?
Mild GI signs like vomiting and drooling typically appear within a few hours of ingestion. Cardiac signs from larger ingestions can develop quickly as well. Most mild cases resolve within 24–48 hours with supportive veterinary care, but the timeline depends on how much was consumed.
Same cat verdict
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