Toxic to cats · Plants

Is Mountain Laurel toxic to cats?

Extreme severity No safe amount — No amount is considered safe.

Yes, Mountain Laurel is extremely toxic to cats. Even a small amount can be life-threatening, so treat any exposure as an emergency and contact a vet immediately. No amount is considered safe.

Symptoms to watch for

  • vomiting
  • excessive drooling
  • diarrhea
  • arrhythmias
  • tremors
  • coma
  • death

How vets treat it

Immediate veterinary intervention is required to manage cardiac and neurological symptoms; no specific antidote is mentioned.

Why it's dangerous

The plant contains diterpenoids that disrupt sodium channels, which negatively affects the function of skeletal and cardiac muscles.

Toxic compound: Grayanotoxins

Good to know

Highly toxic to grazing animals; commonly found in pastures and clearings. Part of the Ericaceae family.

Sources

This page is informational and is not veterinary advice. If your pet has been exposed to something risky, contact your vet or an animal poison control line right away.

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