Suspect poisoning? US: ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 · UK: 01202 509 000 · Severe symptoms → nearest emergency vet now.

My 4kg indoor cat ate about half a cup of cooked elderberries with sugar sauce within the past hour—are they safe?

Cats · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

No, cooked elderberries are still unsafe for a 4kg cat and you need veterinary help right away. All parts of the berry—skin, flesh, seed and even the cooked pulp—contain cyanogenic glycosides that can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Even a small half‑cup serving can be harmful. Call your vet immediately or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888‑426‑4435.

Elderberry — Food safety facts

Do not feed · Cats · full breakdown on the linked food page

Raw berries, leaves, bark and stems all contain cyanogenic glycosides and cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Never feed.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Do not feed), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Elderberry should not be given to cats at all. Even a small amount can do harm, so there is no portion small enough to be safe.

Do not induce vomiting and do not give milk or oil to “dilute” it. Note the food and roughly how much was eaten, then call your vet or a pet poison hotline and follow their advice on whether to bring the pet in straight away.

Why these cautions matter

Raw animal protein carries Salmonella and E. coli risk, and those bacteria can spread to the people in the household too.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Elderberry food facts page.

Open the full food page: Elderberry food facts →