33 Plants and Flowers That Are Toxic to Cats

LightFieldStudios/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Cats are so well-known for their curiosity, it's almost a cliche. So it should come as no surprise if your nosy feline starts checking out the houseplants around your home. This is why it's important to make sure any plant or flower your cat can access is nontoxic - just in case they decide to take a bite. We can help with this.

Many plants can be toxic to cats, and we can't cover every single one here. The list below includes some common plants that are toxic to cats. If you're ever unsure about one you don't see here, consult the ASPCA's list of plants that are toxic to cats.

1. Lily

Lilies are incredibly toxic to cats, which is why they're No. 1 on our list. Every part of the lily - from its leaves and pollen to the water from the vase it's placed in - can cause serious problems for cats. And this applies to every type of lily, including Easter lilies, calla lilies, and any other variety.

Signs of plant poisoning if your cat eats lilies include:

• Lower activity level

• Vomiting

• Drooling

• Lack of appetite

• Kidney failure (increased thirst and urination)

These signs of poisoning can occur within minutes to 12 hours of your cat eating any part of a lily. Your cat can then develop kidney damage within the first 24 hours and kidney failure within 24 to 72 hours. Kidney failure is fatal if your cat doesn't get treatment.

Cats who get treatment right away have a better chance of recovering from lily poisoning. But delaying treatment for even 18 hours can leave your cat with permanent kidney damage.

2. Aloe vera

Aloe vera may help soothe your sunburns. But for cats, ingesting aloe vera in plant form can lead to:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Lack of energy

3. Amaryllis

Amaryllises sprout beautifully shaped flowers at the top of their stems. Yet these beautiful blooms aren't for cats, either. If cats ingest amaryllises, they can experience signs of toxicity, including:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Salivating more than usual

• Weight loss

• Abdominal pain

• Tremors

4. Azalea

Azaleas are poisonous to cats because the flowers and plants contain a toxin called grayanotoxin. When cats eat azaleas, they can experience vomiting and diarrhea. But ingesting this toxic plant can also lead to weakness and heart failure.

5. Bird of paradise

There are a number of varieties of bird of paradise plants, and they're all best kept away from cats. These plants can cause stomach upset in cats, including nausea and vomiting.

Some varieties - such as the caesalpinia gilliesii or poinciana gilliesii - can also cause:

• Mouth pain and irritation

• Burning sensation in and around the mouth

• Drooling

• Diarrhea

• Trouble swallowing

• Difficulty with coordination

6. Buttercup

Sweet little yellow buttercups are best kept far away from your cat's curious mouth. Buttercup is toxic to cats and can lead to signs of poisoning, such as:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Weight loss

• Salivating more than usual

• Mouth ulcers

• Wobbly walking

7. Carnation

Classics of any corsage, carnations are best kept away from cats. Though certainly not the most toxic plant on this list, carnations can still lead to digestive upset, skin irritation, and itching in cats.

8. Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums - sometimes referred to as simply "mums" - are toxic to cats. Cats who ingest any part of the mum may experience:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Salivating more than usual

• Difficulty with coordination

• Skin irritation and itching

9. Chive

You may think of chives more as a food for seasoning. But they're plants at heart, and chives are toxic to cats. Signs of chive poisoning in cats are:

• Vomiting

• Weakness

• Increased heart rate

• Panting

• Blood in their urine

• Red blood cell destruction

10. Daffodil

Daffodils may be a beautiful sign of spring, but they are a sign of trouble for cats. Like tulips, daffodil bulbs are especially toxic. If your cat consumes a small amount of any part of a daffodil plant, they may experience diarrhea, vomiting, and increased salivation.

Cats who consume a large amount of the daffodil plant or bulb may experience:

• Low blood pressure

• Convulsions

• Tremors

• Heart arrhythmias

11. Elephant ear

Elephant ears are so named for the shape of their big, green leaves. However, elephant ears contain calcium oxalate crystals that are released in your cat's mouth and digestive tract if they chew on the plant. Cats who eat elephant ear may have pain and intense burning in or around their mouth, as well as:

• Drooling

• Trouble swallowing

• Vomiting

12. Eucalyptus

Keep your cat away from your eucalyptus. Cats who eat small amounts of eucalyptus can experience mild signs of digestive trouble. But when consumed in larger amounts, eucalyptus poisoning can lead to:

• Unsteady walking

• Tremors

• Seizures

Eucalyptus is also a common ingredient in essential oils, and it's not safe for cats in this form, either.

13. Foxglove

You may love the cone-shaped, colorful flowers on a foxglove plant. But if your cat can access your foxglove, it's best not to plant them in or around your home. Cats who ingest foxglove can experience potentially life-threatening poisoning symptoms, including:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Abnormal heart rhythms

• Weakness

• Heart failure

• Death

14. Geranium

Geranium flowers come in a wide variety of colors, and they're all toxic to cats. They contain two toxic substances that can cause signs of poisoning, such as:

• Vomiting

• Weight loss

• Depression

• Skin irritation and itching

15. Gladiola

The big flowers of your favorite gladiolas may make you smile. But for your cat, gladiolas may cause:

• Vomiting, possibly with blood

• Diarrhea, possibly with blood

• Abdominal pain

• Salivating more than usual

If consumed in large enough amounts, gladiolas can cause your cat to have neurological issues, as well.

16. Holly

Holly is popular around the holidays for its distinctive green leaves and red berries. For cats, however, holly contains a number of dangers. Depending on the variety of holly plant, it can contain substances that are toxic to cats. In addition, the leaves of many holly varieties - such as Christmas and English holly - have sharp points.

When they ingest holly, cats can experience harmful effects, such as:

• Severe vomiting

• Severe diarrhea

• Lip-smacking

• Drooling

• Head-shaking

17. Honeysuckle

It may be counterintuitive, but cats can be attracted to the sweet smell put out by some flowers. That seems to be the case with honeysuckle, another plant that's not great for cats. Cats who ingest honeysuckle may experience vomiting, diarrhea, and low energy.

18. Hosta

Hostas are easy to grow, though they're best grown away from areas your cat can access. Signs of hosta poisoning in cats include vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.

19. Hyacinth

Like tulips, hyacinths belong to a family of plants that contain toxins that are harmful to cats. The flower's bulb is usually the most toxic part of the plant for pets. But a cat who consumes any part of a hyacinth may experience:

• Upset stomach

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Drooling

• Increased heart rate

• Increased breathing rate

• Trouble breathing

20. Hydrangea

Hydrangea's clumps of colorful flowers may look pretty in their garden. But they don't do well in your cat's tummy. Cats who ingest any part of the plant, especially its leaves and flowers, may experience:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Lack of energy

21. Iris

Iris - a uniquely shaped flower perched at the end of a stem plant - is toxic to cats. Ingesting this multicolored flower can lead to:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Drooling

• Lack of energy

22. Ivy

It's the ivy leaves you need to watch out for with your cat more than any other part of the ivy plant. Cats who ingest ivy can have poisoning symptoms, such as:

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Salivating more than usual

23. Lavender

We humans love lavender for its calming scent. For cats, however, lavender in both plant and essential oil form is harmful. Cats who ingest lavender can experience stomach upset, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

24. Morning glory

Morning glories bloom with characteristic purple-blue flowers with a perfect yellow center. Unfortunately, these lovely flowers are toxic to cats. Vomiting is the most common sign of poisoning in cats who eat morning glory. But if your cat consumes a lot of the seeds from the plant, they can experience hallucinations.

25. Nightshade

You may not have a nightshade indoors. But if you have a cat who spends time outdoors, be mindful of keeping them away from any nightshade plants. These contain a number of toxins that are poisonous to cats. Common signs of nightshade poisoning include:

• Salivating more than usual

• Lack of appetite

• Diarrhea

• Severe digestive upset

• Sleepiness

• Confusion

• Behavior changes

• Slow heart rate

• Dilated (widened) pupils

26. Oleander

Oleander - a shrub usually found outside in warm places - is highly toxic to many species. Those include humans, dogs, and cats. Oleander contains oleandrin, a toxin that affects the heart. Many of its most toxic effects can be fatal.

There are a number of related plants that contain the toxin oleandrin, and the level of toxicity varies based on the plant. But in general, cats who consume any part of an oleander shrub may experience:

• Abnormal heart rate

• Digestive upset, such as nausea, vomiting, and drooling

• Tremors

• Seizures

• Dangerously high potassium levels

27. Philodendron

Philodendron is a leafy plant that is toxic to cats. The plant contains crystals that can harm your cat if they bite into any part of a philodendron. This can lead to issues in your cat's mouth and digestive system, including:

• Mouth pain (they may paw at their mouth)

• Drooling

• Vomiting

• Lack of appetite

28. Poinsettia

Poinsettias are one of a number of holiday plants that are toxic to cats. But the ASPCA said poinsettias aren't as concerning for pets as once believed. However, sap from poinsettias can cause symptoms in your cat, especially mouth irritation and irritation in the stomach that can trigger vomiting.

29. Pothos

Pothos plants are known for their luscious leaves and vines, so much so that your cat might take an interest in your pothos, as well. But pothos can be toxic to cats due to crystals contained in the plants. If cats chew on the pothos, they can experience painful symptoms, such as:

• Vomiting

• Drooling

• Lack of appetite

• Mouth pain (they may paw at their mouth)

30. Rhododendron

Rhododendrons are also toxic to cats due to a toxin called grayanotoxin. This toxin can cause a variety of symptoms, even if your cat only ingests a little bit of the plant. Common signs of poisoning include:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Drooling

• Abnormal heart rate

• Weakness

• Low blood pressure

• Tremors

• Blindness

• Seizures

• Coma

31. Sago palm

When you want to bring the tropics in, it's best to leave the sago palm out for the sake of your cat. Sago palm is very toxic to cats and can lead to:

• Vomiting

• Increased thirst

• Dark or watery stool

• Jaundice

• Abdominal pain

• Inability to form blood clots when wounded

• Liver damage and failure

• Death

Other varieties of palm are similarly toxic to cats, including:

• Cardboard palm

• Fern palm

• Grass palm

• Coontie palm

32. Tulip

Tulips come in a variety of appealing colors, yet they are toxic to cats. While all parts of the plant can cause signs of poisoning, tulip bulbs are especially poisonous. Signs your cat ate toxic tulips include:

• Lots of drooling

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Increased heart rate

• Increased breathing rate

• Difficulty breathing

33. Wisteria

Before you consider bringing in some fragrant wisteria blooms, think again if you have a cat. Cats who ingest wisteria may experience:

• Vomiting, possibly with blood

• Diarrhea

• Depression

What to do if your cat eats a toxic plant

If you believe your cat has eaten a toxic plant, get help right away. You can call your veterinarian or take your cat to an emergency animal clinic. You can also call a pet poison hotline as your first step, since some plants are more poisonous than others and you may need advice as quickly as possible.

There are two pet poison helplines in the U.S.:

• Pet Poison Hotline (1-855-764-7661)

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435)

These helplines are staffed by veterinary experts who can provide guidance on what to do if your cat has eaten something toxic. Keep in mind that you often have to pay a fee to get help from a pet poison hotline. The fee for the Pet Poison Hotline is $85, and it's $95 for the ASPCA's hotline.

What plants are safe for cats?

The good news is that many plants and flowers are safe for cats. So you don't need to pack up your green thumb to keep your precious pet safe. Just remember that too much of anything can cause digestive upset in your cat. And in general, it's best to keep your cat from eating any of your plants.

With this in mind, the following plants are not toxic to cats:

• African violet

• Baby's breath

• Baby's tears

• Bamboo palm

• Begonia

• Blue echeveria succulent

• Boston fern

• Candycorn plant

• Cast iron plant

• Christmas cactus

• Cornflower

• Donkey's tail succulent

• Dwarf palm

• Friendship plant

• Gerbera daisy

• Ghost plant/mother of pearl

• Haworthia margaritifera

• Hens and chicks succulent

• Hibiscus

• Jasmine

• Marigold

• Money tree/plant

• Orchid

• Parlor palm/good luck palm

• Pansy

• Plush plant

• Rose

• Rubber plant

• Sage

• Snapdragon

• Spider plant

• Sunflower

• Sweet pea

• Thyme

• Venus flytrap

• Zinnia

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.