Is Honeysuckle Toxic to Cats?

Lonicera species

Honeysuckle berries contain saponins and cause vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. The flowers and nectar are lower risk but not risk-free.

It grows over fences, sheds and hedges throughout the UK, so the berries are at exactly the height a cat reaches from a fence post.

Which parts are dangerous

• berries
• leaves
• stems

What to watch for in the UK

• Climbing over fences and sheds in most British gardens.
• Berries ripen red in late summer and autumn.
• Cats climb fences and land against berry clusters.
• Distinguish from the safe fuchsia, which is often grown alongside.

If your cat has already chewed it

1. Phone your vet if berries were eaten.
2. Offer water and watch for vomiting.
3. Take a photo of the plant and berries.

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).