Ezina · A Field Manual for Plant Care · United States Vol. I · Ed. 2027 · Proof copy

§ Toxic plants · Lauraceae · Checked Oct 2026

Is bay laurel toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Plant Smart rates its effects Severe, level 3 of 4.

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Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis)
Photo: (c) Dr. Alexey Yakovlev, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), via iNaturalist

§ 010 · Signs

What to watch for

Signs include vomiting, diarrhea and intestinal blockage. Signs can start within hours; some take a day or more to show.

§ 020 · If it happened

What to do if your pet ate it

Call your vet or a pet poison hotline straight away, even if your pet seems fine: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661. Both are open 24 hours and charge a fee. Have the plant or a photo of it to hand, and don’t make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.

§ 040 · Questions

Questions about bay laurel and pets

Is bay laurel toxic to cats?

Yes. ASPCA lists bay laurel as toxic to cats.

Is bay laurel toxic to dogs?

Yes. ASPCA lists bay laurel as toxic to dogs.

What happens if my pet eats bay laurel?

Signs include vomiting, diarrhea and intestinal blockage. Plant Smart rates it Severe, level 3 of 4.

What should I do if my pet ate it?

Call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away, even before signs appear: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Both charge a fee. Have the plant, or a photo of it, to hand.

Changes

5 Oct 2026: page drafted.

Sources

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.

Plant Smart: Plant Smart: plants toxic to pets.

Photo: (c) Dr. Alexey Yakovlev, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), via iNaturalist, source.

Checked Oct 2026.