Cat Brier is not toxic to cats.
This conclusion comes from a rigorous review in collaboration with a team of experienced DVMs (doctors of veterinary medicine). Their expert insights and contributions ensure the accuracy and currency of the information presented here. In addition, we have consulted high-authority websites such as the ASPCA and PetMD.
While the ASPCA lists Cat Brier as non-toxic to cats, it is always prudent for cat owners to exercise caution when allowing their feline friends to interact with or consume any plant material.
Can Cats Eat Cat Brier?
Cats can consume cat briers with relative ease. It is safe as long as your cat only ate a small portion of cat brier. Cat brier does not contain poisonous properties that should make you worry.
But, remember that cats are genuine carnivores who require only meat-based food. Cats should never be forced to become vegetarians because this can lead to life-threatening amino acid shortages.
Plants may cause cats to experience drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea in cats if ingested in huge quantities.
What is Cat Brier?
Cat Brier (Smilax rotundifolia) belongs to the Liliaceae Family with other common names such as Greenbrier, Bullbrier, Tramp’s Trouble. Catbrier is a spiny, woody perennial vine with 4-angled stems that can climb to a height of 25 feet by tendrils.
Leaves are alternate, simple, 1½–4½ inches long, ¾–4 inches wide; heart-shaped, broadly egg-shaped, triangular, or fiddle-shaped. In the winter, the leaves get leathery and fall off.
Stems are thick canes, highly angled, and green, with tufts of little, star-shaped hairs on the older stems; prickles are sturdy, green to brown or black, and up to 14 inches long; tendrils emerge in pairs at the base of the leaf stalks. The bark is green and firm, with white scales on it.
May–June is when the flowers bloom. Blooms are yellowish-green, tiny, and have male and female flower clusters on the same plant, with 3–20 flowers in each cluster; petals are 6. The stalk of the cluster is substantially longer than the stalk of the leaf at its base.
Cat brier fruit ripens from September to October. The fruits are round blackberries that are 14 inches thick and grow in globe-shaped clusters on 1-inch tall stalks. There is normally one seed per fruit.
Keeping Cats Away From Cat Brier
You could think that because cat briers are harmless for your cat, there’s no reason to keep them away from your cat brier at home. If you wish to safeguard your plant from any harm caused by your cat, you may train them to avoid it.
Giving your cats toys and gear to keep them amused is another method to safeguard your plants. One of the biggest reasons cats destroy plants is boredom. Keeping your feline pals entertained will keep them from bothering your plants.
You may also restrict their outside access to keep them away from any plants in your yard.
Plants to Avoid For Your Cats
If you are a cat owner and unsure if the plants growing in your yard are harmful to your cats, check out this list of toxic plants for cats. You can also check our list of non-toxic plants for cats.
