Is Box (boxwood) Toxic to Cats?

Buxus sempervirens

Buxus contains steroidal alkaloids. Eating the leaves causes vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling and, in larger amounts, tremors and breathing difficulty.

Box is clipped into shape across Britain in late summer, and the tiny clippings scatter over lawns and paths where a cat walks.

Which parts are dangerous

• leaves
• stems
• clippings

What to watch for in the UK

• Parks, topiary and formal gardens all use it heavily.
• Clippings are tiny, plentiful and easily eaten by accident.
• Box blight means many people are removing it — do that with gloves.
• Sweep paths after trimming.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Phone your vet if a significant amount was eaten.
2. Clear clippings immediately.
3. Watch for drooling, vomiting and tremors.

Take a photo of the plant, and a cutting if you can do it safely — identification is half of the vet's decision. Out of hours, use your practice's emergency number. This page explains risk; it cannot diagnose your cat and it contains no home treatments.

If your cat has vomited after eating a plant, see the cat vomiting guide and, if there is blood, vomiting blood. For a general red-flag checklist, use sick cat symptoms. If the worry is food rather than a plant, the can cats eat guide covers 36 everyday foods.

Related plants

Browse the full UK plant checklist (72 plants).