Bay Laurel
Laurus nobilis · Lauraceae
How it looks
Bay Laurel is an evergreen tree with glossy, thick leathery oval leaves arranged alternately. Crushing a leaf releases a strong bay (laurel) aroma. Small yellow flowers cluster in the leaf axils and small round black fruits appear. It stands 10–33 ft (3–10 m) tall.
Mild caution — stomach irritation
All parts of Bay Laurel (especially its essential oils) contain irritating compounds that can cause vomiting and diarrhea if chewed. Most cats recover on their own, but as a caution-level plant it still calls for monitoring.
Guide for parents
An occasional nibble on Bay Laurel rarely leads to serious trouble, but its eucalyptol and linalool can irritate the stomach and mucous membranes, causing mild gastrointestinal upset. Make a habit of clearing away fallen leaves and broken stems the same day, and keep the pot somewhere your cat can't reach. If symptoms last more than 12 hours or your cat shows a marked loss of appetite, consult your vet.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- Right away to within 2 hours of ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Action
- Rinse the mouth with water and monitor. Consult a vet if symptoms last more than 12 hours.
Details
- Scientific name
- Laurus nobilis
- Common name
- Bay Laurel
- Family
- Lauraceae
- Toxic parts
- All parts (especially the essential oils)
- Compounds
- Eucalyptol, Linalool
- Onset
- Right away to within 2 hours of ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Action
- Rinse the mouth with water and monitor. Consult a vet if symptoms last more than 12 hours.
- Source
- ASPCA
