What to do if your pet ate it
Contact your vet or a poison line right away, report how much juniper was eaten and your pet's weight, and keep any packaging or leftovers. Do not induce vomiting unless your vet tells you to.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Lethargy and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Severe: tremors, breathing trouble, collapse
If your pet shows vomiting, lethargy or any unusual behaviour after eating juniper, go to the nearest emergency vet immediately.
Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Do not feed), so the notes below hold for either pet.
Other foods that are toxic or dangerous
The full A–Z food list groups every food by verdict for each species.
Frequently asked questions
Can cats eat juniper?
NO — do not feed. All parts of Juniper (berries, foliage and essential oil) are toxic to dogs and cats. Ingestion can cause vomiting, depression, ataxia and, in severe cases, seizures or kidney damage. Watch for sudden vomiting, lethargy, tremors or disorientation after any exposure.
What if my cat already ate juniper?
Call your vet or a poison line now with the amount of juniper eaten and your cat's weight, and do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to. If juniper was eaten and you then see vomiting, lethargy, tremors or breathing changes, go straight to the nearest emergency clinic.
Is there a safe amount of juniper for cats?
There is no accepted safe dose of juniper for cats; it is classed as toxic or dangerous, and reactions vary with the individual animal, so it is not something to feed at any amount.
How often can cats have juniper?
juniper is not something to feed at any interval; it stays off the menu entirely.
What are safer treats than juniper for cats?
Pick from the safe list instead — Coconut oil or Olive oil carry none of the risk that juniper does, and they work better as an everyday treat.