Mistletoe

Toxic

Verdict

Toxic — berries can cause gut signs; some species affect the heart.

Toxic principle: phoratoxin, viscotoxins (varies by species)
Source: ASPCA · Verified 2026-08-13

If your cat ate this

Cats hide symptoms — don't wait and see. Even small amounts of certain substances can be fatal to a cat. Act fast.

  1. 1. Call your veterinarian immediately
  2. US — National hotline: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 aspca.org(24/7, Consultation fee may apply.)
  3. US — National hotline: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 petpoisonhelpline.com(24/7, $89 per incident fee; also covers Canada.)
  4. GB — National hotline: Animal PoisonLine 01202 509 000 animalpoisonline.co.uk(24/7, £35 per call (8am–8pm weekdays), £45 at other times.)
  5. AU — National hotline: Animal Poisons Helpline 1300 869 738 animalpoisons.com.au(24/7)
  6. NZ — National hotline: Animal Poisons Helpline 0800 869 738 poisons.co.nz(11am–7pm NZ time (currently being extended), Charges apply.)
  7. CA — National hotline: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 petpoisonhelpline.com(24/7, $89 per incident fee.)

Verified 2026-08-06

Verdict

Holiday mistletoe varies by species. Gastrointestinal upset is common; more concentrated exposures have been associated with heart-rate changes. Treat any mistletoe ingestion as more than a joke kissing-ball.

Symptoms to watch for

  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • lethargy
  • abnormal heartbeat (severe)

What to do

Call a vet or poison control. Bring a photo of the plant if you can.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 aspca.org