Is Common Camellia safe for cats and dogs?
| Species | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Cats | Safe |
| Dogs | Safe |
Severity: Mild
Camellia is Alabama's official state flower, a designation that has stood since 1959. The governor's office describes the shrub as "a beautiful fixture of the Alabama landscape since its arrival in the state in the early 1800's," its blossom "so revered that it was designated as the State Flower in 1959." Alabama marks Camellia Day every January 7, timed, in the state's own words, "to coincide with the peak of the flower's blooming season," and a historical marker on the north side of the State Capitol grounds in Montgomery commemorates the designation.
The plant also has its own national home in the American Camellia Society, founded in 1945 and headquartered at Massee Lane Gardens near Fort Valley, Georgia, on nine acres of camellia plantings plus more than twenty additional acres of specialty gardens. The Society describes itself as "dedicated to fostering appreciation for and knowledge of plants of the genus Camellia," and it sanctions camellia flower shows, accredits show judges, and oversees the registration of new camellia varieties nationwide.
For pet owners, that popularity comes with good news: ASPCA lists camellia (Camellia japonica) as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Households in the American South with camellia hedges or specimen shrubs in the yard, or a container plant on a porch, do not need to keep cats or dogs away from it on toxicity grounds.
Facts and examples
- The Office of the Governor of Alabama states camellia was "designated as the State Flower in 1959," that Camellia Day is celebrated each January 7 "to coincide with the peak of the flower's blooming season," and that a historical marker on the State Capitol grounds in Montgomery commemorates the designation. (source, verified 2026-07-31)
- The American Camellia Society states it was "founded in 1945" and "is headquartered at Massee Lane Gardens near Fort Valley in central Georgia," with nine acres of camellia plantings, and that it is "dedicated to fostering appreciation for and knowledge of plants of the genus Camellia," sanctioning camellia shows and registering new cultivars nationally. (source, verified 2026-07-31)
Verdict re-verified against aspca.org, 2026-07-31 — confirmed unchanged. Source
This page is for general information only and is not veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If your pet is showing symptoms, or you think they ate or touched something dangerous, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison-control hotline immediately.
Last verified 2026-07-31