Boxwood
Not listed does not mean safe.
No machine-readable author provided. MPF assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY 2.5 · Photo source · shows: Buxus
Evidence by animal
| Animal | Verdict | Basis | Plant parts | Sources | Evidence link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Companion mammals | |||||
| Cats | Cats: ⚠ Toxic | Not specified | ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Poison control | evidence | |
| Dogs | Dogs: ⚠ Toxic | Not specified | ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Poison control | evidence | |
| Horses & livestock | |||||
| Horses | Horses: ⚠ Toxic | Not specified | ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Poison control | evidence | |
| Chickens & other poultry | Chickens & other poultry: ⚠ Toxic | Not specified | UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine University | evidence | |
| Small mammals | |||||
| Rabbits | Rabbits: ⚠ Toxic | rabbit.org: listed as poisonous (not graded); WHRS Class 1: universal toxin | Not specified | House Rabbit Society (rabbit.org) Rescue/education group Wisconsin House Rabbit Society Rescue/education group | evidence |
| Reptiles | |||||
| Tortoises | Tortoises: ⚠ Toxic | Tortoise Trust: listed as toxic, credible mortality reports (*) | Not specified | Tortoise Trust Specialist charity | evidence |
Source excerpts
ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants — Cats, Dogs, Horses
poison-control
Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
Source checked 2026-10-27
Read original sourceHouse Rabbit Society (rabbit.org) — Poisonous Plants — Rabbits
rescue-education
rabbit.org: listed as poisonous (not graded) · rabbit.org list "Poisonous Plants" (compiled by the University of Illinois): plants "normally thought to be poisonous"; "others may cause a reaction in some but not in others". Not a graded risk.
Boxwood
Source checked 2026-10-27
Read original sourceWisconsin House Rabbit Society — Classes of Toxic Plants — Rabbits
rescue-education
WHRS Class 1: universal toxin · Wisconsin House Rabbit Society chapter list (G. Flentke, 2012): Class 1 — "Universal species toxins": "usually systemic toxins or local effect toxins of sufficient intensity to cause systemic problems" (list heading: "Do NOT expose rabbits to these plants.").
Boxwood
Source checked 2026-10-27
Read original sourceTortoise Trust — Toxic Plants and Tortoises — Tortoises
specialist-charity
Tortoise Trust: listed as toxic, credible mortality reports (*) · Tortoise Trust toxic-plant list (from Highfield, The Tortoise and Turtle Feeding Manual, 2001): marked * = "credible cases where mortality has been reported following consumption".
Boxwood*
Source checked 2026-10-27
Read original sourceUC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine — Toxic Plant Garden — Chickens & other poultry
university
UC Davis Toxic Plant Garden entry: Common Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
Toxic to cats, dogs, horses, cows, poultry
Source checked 2026-10-27
Read original sourceNo evidence collected in this database yet for 17 animals
No evidence collected in this database yet for: Guinea pigs, Hamsters, Rats, Mice, Chinchillas, Ferrets, Pet birds (general), Parrots (macaws, Amazons, African greys…), Budgerigars (budgies), Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Canaries, Finches, Pigeons & doves, Bearded dragons, Iguanas, Goats
No supported claim has been collected for these animals. Not listed does not mean safe; do not infer suitability from another species.
Toxic principles
ASPCA, as published: Alkaloids Source
Clinical signs
ASPCA, as published: Dogs and cats: vomiting, diarrhea; Horses: colic, diarrhea, respiratory failure, seizures Source
Last verified (ASPCA record): 2026-10-27. Source access dates and limitations.