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 Black Locust safe for cats?
Robinia spp.
Robinia species, commonly known as locust trees, contain toxic proteins and alkaloids throughout the bark, leaves, and seeds. Ingestion can lead to significant gastrointestinal and neurological distress in pets.
Black LocustFalse AcaciaRobinia pseudoacaciaRobinia spp.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Habit
- Tree
- Care
- Low
Safety status
What this means for your cat
Cats — toxic. Every part of Black Locust — bark, leaves, seeds, and pods — contains toxalbumins (robin, phasin, and robitin) that damage the GI tract and can stress the heart. Cats rarely chew on locust, but any nibble of bark or a swallowed seed deserves attention because toxalbumins are potent in small amounts.
What to watch for
Vomiting (sometimes bloody), diarrhea (sometimes bloody), depression, refusal to eat, weakness, dilated pupils, cold extremities, and labored breathing. Severe cases can progress to collapse.
Time window
Exact onset and recovery times are not well documented in the cited sources. Both ASPCA and Pet Poison Helpline treat Black Locust ingestion as an emergency rather than a wait-and-see, so assume signs can appear within hours.
When to call the vet
Call your vet or the ASPCA APCC (888-426-4435) right away on any suspected chew. Bloody vomit or diarrhea, weakness, cold feet, or any breathing change means go to the emergency vet now — don't wait for symptoms to stack up.
First aid at home
Per Pet Poison Helpline, do not attempt home remedies and do not induce vomiting without first speaking to a poison control specialist or veterinarian. Bring a piece of the plant or seed pod for identification.
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
Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, and potential cardiac irregularities.
Escalation note
Ingestion of any part of the plant is considered a medical emergency. Please contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately if ingestion is suspected.
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
Same cat verdict
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