What plants are toxic for cats to eat?

Cats are generally careful eaters, but they can also be curious and start nibbling on your potted plants if they decide to. While most plants are harmless, some can be downright dangerous.

It’s reported that veterinarians treat over 56 cats for poisoning daily across the UK. If that number doesn’t make you want to double-check your garden, I don’t know what will.

To help you keep your favorite feline safe and healthy, I spoke to Abigail Johnson, budding Felinologist and author, to identify the most common poisonous plants for cats.

While some plants can just give your kitty an upset stomach and diarrhea, other plants are extremely poisonous and can cause serious problems, like liver damage. On top of that, many of the more dangerous poisonous plants for cats are quite common and often found in homes and gardens around the world.

“It’s easy for people to buy a plant from a garden center or plant nursery and just assume that it’s safe for their pet,” says Abigail.

Hopefully, this list can help you before you buy your next house or garden plant. And if you’ve already got one in your home or flowerbed, now is the time to replace it with something just as beautiful and way safer for your feline friend.

Please note that the list below is not meant to be all-inclusive. It’s a list of the most often encountered plants. Be sure to check with a veterinarian or gardening expert if you’re in doubt.

Plants that are poisonous to cats

• Lily (Lilium) (not only are lilies toxic, but they can also cause kidney failure which can be fatal)

• Daffodil (Narcissus)

• Autumn Crocus (Colchicum)

• Amaryllis (Amaryllidinae)

• Tulip

• Sago palm (Cycas revoluta)

• Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)

• English ivy (Hedera helix)

• Yew (Taxus baccata)

• Marijuana (Cannabis)

• Azaleas and Rhododendrons

• Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)

• Spanish thyme/Mexican mint (Coleus amboinicus)

• Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum)

• Chrysanthemum

• Widow's-thrill (Kalanchoe)

• Dumb canes (Dieffenbachia)

• Hyacinth (Hyacinths)

• Cutleaf Philodendron (Monstera Deliciosa)

• Jade plant (Crassula)

• Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

• Aloe vera

Lily (Lilium)

All parts of the lily plant are toxic to cats, and ingesting even small amounts can cause severe kidney damage or failure.

Daffodil (Narcissus)

Daffodils contain lycorine, a toxic substance that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even convulsions if ingested by cats.

Autumn Crocus (Colchicum)

This plant contains colchicine, a toxic substance that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even death if ingested by cats.

Amaryllis (Amaryllidaceae)

Amaryllis contains lycorine, a toxic substance that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even convulsions if ingested by cats.

Tulip

Tulips contain a toxic substance called tulipalin A and B which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and depression if ingested by cats.

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)

Sago palms contain cycasin, a toxic substance that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, liver failure, and even death if ingested by cats.

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace lilies contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if ingested by cats.

English ivy (Hedera helix)

English ivy contains triterpenoid saponins, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even death if ingested by cats.

Yew (Taxus baccata)

Yew contains taxine, a toxic substance that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and even death if ingested by cats.

Marijuana (Cannabis)

Marijuana contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and even death if ingested by cats.

Azaleas and Rhododendrons

These plants contain grayanotoxins, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death if ingested by cats.

Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)

Lily of the valley contains convallatoxin and convallamarin, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, heart problems, and even death if ingested by cats.

Spanish thyme/Mexican mint (Coleus amboinicus)

Spanish thyme contains an essential oil that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death if ingested by cats.

Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum)

Devil's ivy contains insoluble calcium oxalates, which can cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if ingested by cats.

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrins, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death if ingested by cats.

Widow's-thrill (Kalanchoe)

Widow's-thrill contains cardiotoxins, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, heart problems, and even death if ingested by cats.

Dumb canes (Dieffenbachia)

These contain needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if ingested by cats.

Hyacinth (Hyacinths)

Hyacinths contain lycorine, a toxic substance that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even convulsions if ingested by cats.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera contains aloin, a toxic substance that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors if ingested by cats.

Cutleaf Philodendron (Monstera Deliciosa)

Cutleaf Philodendron contains insoluble calcium oxalates, which can cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if ingested by cats.

Jade plant (Crassula)

Jade plant contains insoluble calcium oxalates, which can cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if ingested by cats.

Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

Snake plant contains saponins, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors if ingested by cats.

What are the symptoms of toxicity in cats?

According to Abigail, these are common symptoms of toxicity in cats:

• Excessive drooling

• Excessive drinking

• Frequent urination

• Lethargy

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Difficulty breathing and swallowing

• Heavy breathing

• Irregular heartbeat (a regular heartbeat for a cat is 120-160 per minute)

• Irritation around the face

• Swelling, itchiness, and red/watery eyes

What plants are safe to grow around cats?

Don’t let the long list of poisonous plants to cats scare you. There are just as many safe plants. And they’re equally as beautiful and fun to grow.

• Rattlesnake plant (Goeppertia insignis)

• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

• Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

• Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

• Prayer plant (Calathea Orbifolia)

• African violet (Saintpaulia)

• Bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus)

• Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)

• Boston fern/Sword fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

• Gloxinia

• Polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

• Watermelon peperomia (Peperomia argyreia)

• Orchid (Orchidaceae)

• Staghorn fern (Platycerium)

• Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)

• Baby tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)

• Friendship plant (Pilea involucrata)

• Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera)

• Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)

What to do if your cat eats a toxic plant?

Abigail says, “First things first: contact animal poison control and let them know what your cat ingested. If possible, take note of the exact plant eaten, time consumed, and symptoms. Next, remove the poisonous plant from your house or yard.”

And if you can’t identify the plant that your cat ate, Abigail suggests you take a sample of the plant to your vet. “If you don’t know what plant your cat ate, take a sample of your cat’s vomit (toxicity usually causes vomiting). This can help your vet determine how severe your cat’s case is and the best way to treat him/her,” adds Miss Johnson.