11 highly popular plants and flowers poisonous to cats (2024)

Never give cat owners any of these plants or flowers

Staggeringly, Brits spend more than £2 billion a year on freshly-cut flowers and indoor plants. But few people know that many of the most popular varieties of flowers are extremely poisonous to cats.

With flower bouquets set to be a popular gift this Mother’s Day, everyone should know which flowers should never be given to cat owners.

In this article, our emergency vet lists several flowers and plants which are poisonous to cats. Be sure to avoid these so your kind gift doesn’t have any tragic consequences.

If you think your pet may have eaten any of these plants or flowers please contact your vet immediately or, out of hours, find your nearest Vets Now pet emergency clinic or 24/7 hospital.

  1. Lilies

    Lilies

    11 highly popular plants and flowers poisonous to cats (1)

  2. Widow's thrill

    Widow’s thrill

    11 highly popular plants and flowers poisonous to cats (2)

  3. Amaryllis

    Amaryllis

    11 highly popular plants and flowers poisonous to cats (3)

  4. Azaleas

    Azaleas

  5. Chrysanthemums

    Chrysanthemums

    11 highly popular plants and flowers poisonous to cats (5)

  6. Crocus

    Crocus

    11 highly popular plants and flowers poisonous to cats (6)

  7. Cyclamen

    Cyclamen

    11 highly popular plants and flowers poisonous to cats (7)

  8. Daffodils

    Daffodils

    11 highly popular plants and flowers poisonous to cats (8)

  9. Foxglove

    Foxglove

  10. Gladioli

    Gladioli

    11 highly popular plants and flowers poisonous to cats (10)

  11. Hyacinth

    Hyacinth

    11 highly popular plants and flowers poisonous to cats (11)

  12. Iris

    Iris

    11 highly popular plants and flowers poisonous to cats (12)

  13. Tulips

    Tulips

    11 highly popular plants and flowers poisonous to cats (13)

1. Lilies

Certain types of lily – those from the Lilium or Hemerocallis species – are very, very dangerous for cats. These include Asiatic, Day, Easter, Japanese Show and Tiger lilies. All of these flowers contain highly toxic substances and eating just two or three leaves, or even drinking water from a vase containing them can be potentially fatal. In fact, cats have even been known to swallow a toxic amount of pollen just by grooming themselves after brushing against the flowers.

If you ever suspect your cat has eaten, or even licked, a lily seek urgent veterinary advice. Treatment is likely to include induced vomiting and intravenous fluid therapy. Your cat may also be givenactivated charcoal, which is sometimes used as aform of gastrointestinal decontamination for poisoned pets.

If left untreated, however,lily poisoning can cause long-lasting kidney damage and potentially even death.The moral of the story is – while there are some harmless lilies out there – never, ever buy a cat owner lilies unless you know they’re safe. Read Millie’s story to find out more.

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2. Amaryllis

Amaryllis aren’t just a popular gift, they’re also a poisonous one. The stalks, flowers and bulbs contain phenanthridine alkaloids which are toxic to cats. The highest proportion is in the bulbs. Eating amaryllis can cause vomiting, changes in blood pressure, tremors and seizures.

3. Daffodils

Daffodils are synonymous with spring. But the yellow flowers contain a poisonous alkaloid that can trigger vomiting while crystals in the bulbs are severely toxic and can cause serious conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias or respiratory depression.

4. Tulips

Behind the rose, the tulip is the country’s most popular cut flower. But unfortunately, tulips are toxic to cats. The bulbs are the most toxic part but any part of the plant can be harmful to your cat, so all tulips should be kept well away. They contain allergenic lactones which, if swallowed, can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea and depression.

11 highly popular plants and flowers poisonous to cats (14)

5. Chrysanthemums

Although only mildly toxic, chrysanthemums contain pyrethrins, which are used in dog flea and tick medications, and are particularly poisonous to cats. If your cat has eaten chrysanthemums look out for vomiting, diarrhoea and lack of appetite and seek advice from your vet.

6. Hyacinths

Belonging to the liliaceae family, the highest concentration of poison in hyacinths is in the bulbs. Eating a hyacinth bulb can lead to drooling, vomiting, or diarrhoea, depending on the number consumed.

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7. Iris and gladioli

‘Are gladioli poisonous to cats?’ is one of the most commonly asked questions on our website. Both of these flowers belong to the Iridaceae family and can cause irritation when eaten. Like many popular spring flowers, the most toxic part is the bulb.

8. Cyclamen

A popular houseplant that’s prevalent in Mediterranean countries, cyclamen contains irritating saponins. Eating the plant can lead to sickness and diarrhoea and potentially even heart failure if ingested in large enough quantities.

9. Widow's thrill

Kalanchoe, or widow’s thrill, is toxic to cats andmay cause them to experience vomiting and diarrhoea. The toxins in kalanchoe have also been known to cause abnormal heart rhythms.

10. Foxglove

Foxglove, while very beautiful with its trumpet-like blossoms, are very poisonous to dogs, cats, and even humans. Foxglove contain naturally-occurring poisons that affect the heart.

11. Crocus

Both types of crocus plant – the spring crocus and the autumn crocus – are dangerous to pets. The spring crocus can cause gastrointestinal issues including vomiting and diarrhoea if ingested. All parts of the autumn crocus are highly toxic and can cause severe symptoms including vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver and kidney damage, respiratory failure, seizures and potentially even death. You may see signs right away or they may take days to appear.

11 highly popular plants and flowers poisonous to cats (2024)

FAQs

What flower is extremely toxic to cats? ›

Lilies. This beautiful unofficial symbol of Spring is among the most toxic flowers to cats. All varieties - including the Easter, Tiger, Stargazer, Red, Wood, and Day - are unsafe. With some flowers, the petals and the buds are the hazards for cats but, with lilies, it's also the pollen, the leaves, and the stems.

Are there any house plants that are poisonous to cats? ›

A very common houseplant, sago palm is severely toxic to cats if ingested. "All parts of the plant are toxic, but the seeds are the most potent," says Dr. Fox. Signs your cat has consumed sago palm typically begin as gastrointestinal, which includes vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling.

What part of the morning glory is poisonous to cats? ›

Although morning glory flowers aren't poisonous if eaten, the seeds are. They have a chemical that is similar to LSD and can cause a wide range of symptoms including disorientation, hallucinations, loss of appetite and diarrhoea.

Is pineapple lily poisonous to cats? ›

Pineapple Lily Is Toxic To Cats 🐈 Learn how Pineapple Lily, while not lethal, can still upset your cat's 🐈 tummy – and how to prevent it. 🐾 Pineapple Lily is not lethal but can cause cat discomfort. 🚨 Watch for drooling, vomiting, lethargy; contact vet if symptoms worsen.

Are any flowers 100% cat safe? ›

Choose flowers known to be safe for cats and dogs, such as roses (thornless), gerbera daisies, snapdragons, and orchids. Avoid lilies, tulips, and chrysanthemums, and others that are toxic to pets.

What flower do cats hate? ›

Cats dislike the smell of rue, lavender and pennyroyal, Coleus canina and lemon thyme. Plant a few of these throughout the garden. (Interplanting can attract pollinators and other beneficial insects too.) Cats steer clear of strong citrus scents.

Are marigolds poisonous to cats? ›

The good news is, there are heaps of plants that are safe (and easy) for you to grow indoors. Spider plants, ferns and colourful bromeliads and marigolds are all harmless to dogs and cats. Beautiful moon orchids are safe too. Check out the ASPCA website for a list of houseplants that are safe for your pet.

Are geraniums poisonous to cats? ›

Geranium: (Pelargonium spp) All parts of geraniums are poisonous to both dogs and cats. Also present in summer. Hyacinth: (Hyacinthus orientalis) The bulbs are poisonous to both cats and dogs. Hydrangea: (Hydrangea) Bulbs are toxic to both cats and dogs as they contain cyanide.

Are hydrangeas poisonous to cats? ›

All parts of a hydrangea plant are toxic to cats, though the leaves and flowers have the highest toxicity. Unfortunately, it's not known exactly how much hydrangea your cat would need to eat to cause severe toxicity. Don't induce vomiting at home in your pet if they have ingested hydrangea.

Do cats know not to eat poisonous plants? ›

Cats have natural instincts and know when to stay away from toxic-smelling plants. These plants also do not taste good and require more than just a lick or a small bite to cause severe problems. Although this is the case, you should still discourage your cat from getting close to toxic plants.

Are petunias poisonous to cats? ›

Petunias Are Not Toxic To Cats 🐈 🐾 Petunias are non-toxic to cats, confirmed by the ASPCA. 🌺 Mild reactions possible: vomiting or digestive upset.

Which flowers are safe for cats? ›

But when it comes to non-poisonous flowers that both cats and dogs are safe to be around, these include roses, orchids, sunflowers, freesias, snapdragons, stocks, germini, waxflowers, statice, limonium, veronica, and lisianthus.

Are daylilies poisonous to cats? ›

While their flowers are lovely to see and smell, lilies pose a significant safety threat for your cat. Lilies in the “true lily” and “daylily” families are very dangerous for cats. The entire lily plant is toxic: the stem, leaves, flowers, pollen, and even the water in a vase.

Can cats have cantaloupe? ›

Yes, cats can eat cantaloupe, which is a good source of vitamin C, beta carotene, fiber, and antioxidants. This relatively low-calorie fruit is often a favorite of felines because the scent that cantaloupes produce mimics the scent of the proteins in meat. Offer small cubes or slices of the flesh, but avoid the rind.

Can cats have cinnamon? ›

No, cinnamon is not good for cats. For humans, cinnamon can offer many health benefits, such as improving insulin resistance and reducing inflammation. Unfortunately, cats lack the enzymes needed to digest cinnamon, so they cannot absorb the spice or benefit from it at all.

What happens if a cat eats a toxic flower? ›

If your cats' organs have been affected by ingesting a toxic plant, symptoms of poisoning may include: breathing difficulties, drooling, difficulties swallowing, excessive drinking, frequent urination, overall weakness, or irregular heartbeat. Gastrointestinal symptoms of poisoning may include: vomiting and diarrhea.

How much tulip is poisonous to cats? ›

All parts of the tulip plant are poisonous to cats. The toxic components are most concentrated in the bulb of the plant, but the flowers, stem, and leaves still contain toxins that can make cats sick. Contact your veterinarian if you think your cat has eaten any part of a tulip.

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