Which Plants are Poisonous to Cats?

Which plants are poisonous to cats?

Many indoor and outdoor plant species are poisonous to our furry family members. A large number of plants and flowers can cause your cat to dribble, vomit, or pass diarrhea, so the list below only covers some of the plants that cause the most severe symptoms. You can find a list of other common causes of vomiting in cats here.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera isn’t just a common house plant; it’s also known for its healing and soothing properties. However, the plant itself can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy in our furry friends.

Apple

You might not know it, but apple trees and crabapple trees are poisonous to cats. Although the fruit’s flesh is considered safe in small amounts, the seeds, stems, and leaves contain cyanide. If your cat ingests parts of the plant containing cyanide, you might see symptoms like breathing difficulty, dilated pupils, and bright red gums.

Autumn Crocus

Autumn Crocuses are pretty outdoor plants that many people choose to have in their gardens. If eaten, this plant can cause bloody diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, dehydration, and shock. Poisoning is most likely if the seeds, bulbs, or flowers are consumed.

Chrysanthemum

Also known as “Mums” or Daisies, the Chrysanthemum is poisonous to cats. They can cause vomiting and diarrhea, skin irritation, and dribbling, and they might make your poor puss look a bit drunk and uncoordinated.

Daffodil

Daffodils and other plants from the Narcissus family are poisonous to cats. They are primarily associated with gut signs like vomiting and diarrhea. However, seizures, tremors, and heart rhythm disturbances are possible, especially if the bulbs are ingested.

Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia is commonly kept as a houseplant. Although it’s not generally associated with life-threatening symptoms, it does cause intense burning pain in the mouth and throat, leading to dribbling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Elephant Ears

Another plant that causes similar pain and symptoms to Dieffenbachia is Elephant Ears. Again, they cause difficulty swallowing as well as vomiting and dribbling.

Lilies, Sago Palms, and Rhododendrons are among the most toxic plants for our feline friends.

Garden Hyacinth

Like Daffodils, ingestion of Garden Hyacinths, especially the bulbs, can cause vomiting, bloody diarrhea, depression, and tremors.

Iris

The Iris is a beautiful, purple-blue flower that can make a statement and add color to any garden. However, the rhizomes are incredibly toxic to cats, causing vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and excessive dribbling.

Lily

Perhaps the most well-known of all the plants that are poisonous to cats is the lily. There are many varieties of lily, and some are more toxic than others. However, lilies in your garden or even cut lilies in the home pose a real threat to your four-legged friend. If your cat ingests the leaves, stems, or even a tiny amount of the pollen, it can cause life-threatening acute kidney injury.

Mother-in-law-plant

Also known as Kalanchoe or Devil’s Backbone, this plant produces a mass of brightly colored blooms. As well as causing a gut upset, Kalanchoe can occasionally interfere with the heart rhythm, with severe consequences.

Oleander

One of the most deadly plants on this list is the Oleander. It contains glycosides that interfere with the heart rhythm and can cause seizures, depression, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and sudden death.

Peace Lily

Despite the name, Peace Lilies are not associated with kidney failure. But they do cause dribbling, mouth irritation, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Persian Violet

Also known as Cyclamen, the Persian Violet is a common house and bedding plant. Ingestion of small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and dribbling. In contrast, more significant amounts can cause seizures, heart attacks, and death.

Sadly, there are a few plants that, if eaten by your cat, can cause death. These include Lilies, Sago Palms, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Yew trees, Cyclamen, and Oleander.

Rhododendron

Rhododendrons and Azaleas are from the same family of plants and are severely toxic. If eaten, they can affect a cat’s nervous system, heart muscle, and skeletal muscles. Unfortunately, even a small amount of Rhododendron leaves can have fatal consequences. If your cat is affected, you might notice them experiencing vomiting and diarrhea, progressing to muscle tremors, incoordination, paralysis, and death.

Sago Palm

Another dangerous plant for cats is the Sago Palm. If parts of the plant are eaten, it can cause a bleeding disorder and liver failure. If your cat has ingested Sago Palm, you might notice blood in their vomit or diarrhea, bruising on their skin, or burst blood vessels on their eyes or gums.

Tulip

Thankfully, it’s rare that tulips cause symptoms severe enough to cause severe illness or death. But if your cat is affected, they might get painful irritation in their mouth, causing them to go off their food. You might also notice them dribbling, and they may vomit.

Yew

Members of the yew family can be severely toxic to cats, causing symptoms like tremors, vomiting, and breathing distress. Sadly, yew can cause sudden death due to its effect on the heart.

What should I do if my cat has touched, licked, or eaten a poisonous plant?

If you suspect that your cat has ingested part of a plant that is poisonous, it’s best to contact a veterinarian right away. If their coat, face, or paws are contaminated with pollen, you should try to wash them immediately to prevent any further ingestion. If you can’t identify the plant, bring a cutting with you or take a photograph to help your veterinarian decide on the best treatment. If you’re unsure whether your cat has come into contact with a toxic plant but they have concerning symptoms or seems unwell, you should speak to your veterinarian.

Are any plants safe for cats?

Luckily, there are plenty of cat-friendly options when it comes to plants. If you’re looking for outdoor plants, why not consider a Scabious or Star Jasmine. On the other hand, if you’re looking for some foliage to bring the outside in, the Shrimp Cactus or a Spider Plant could be great options. You can find some other examples of suitable plants here. It’s important to remember, though, that even plants that are considered kitty-safe could still cause mild signs of an upset stomach.

Conclusion

There are many plants out there that could make your purr-fect pal poorly, so it’s always best to check before planting anything new. You can find lists of non-toxic and toxic plants here, so you can be sure that you are keeping your kitty safe from harm.