Avoid This CAT-astrophe! 10 Spring Flowers That Are Toxic to Cats (2024)

FAQs

Avoid This CAT-astrophe! 10 Spring Flowers That Are Toxic to Cats? ›

Alstroemeria, also known as a Peruvian Lily, is one of my personal favorite flowers. Alstroemeria are not traditional lilies which are extremely toxic to cats. Instead, these alstroemeria beauties are non-toxic to cats, relatively inexpensive and last for a really long time.

Alstroemeria, also known as a Peruvian Lily, is one of my personal favorite flowers. Alstroemeria are not traditional lilies which are extremely toxic to cats. Instead, these alstroemeria beauties are non-toxic to cats, relatively inexpensive and last for a really long time.

Lilies are at the top of the list of poisonous plants for cats, which also includes Asiatic lilies, Easter lilies, Japanese show lilies, rubrum lilies, stargazer lilies, red lilies, tiger lilies, Western lilies, wood lilies, and daylilies.

Flowers That Are Safe for Cats

Asters. Freesia. Gerber Daisies. Liatris.

The entire lily plant is toxic: the stem, leaves, flowers, pollen, and even the water in a vase. Eating just a small amount of a leaf or flower petal, licking a few pollen grains off its fur while grooming, or drinking the water from the vase can cause your cat to develop fatal kidney failure in less than 3 days.

According to Pet Poison Hotline, cats will become poisoned by eating any part of the hydrangea plant. The toxic component of the hydrangea is called cyanogenic glycoside. The flowers, leaves, buds, and stalks all contain the poison, but the buds and leaves contain the most toxin.

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.)

No, they do not. They will gladly chew on any houseplant & are not able to discriminate. It's best not to have houseplants if there is any doubt about whether it is poisonous or not. And remember that cats will get to a plant even if it's up high on a shelf.

Which flowers are toxic to cats? Various flower varieties are hazardous to your cat. Common blooms like peonies, daffodils and tulips can be harmful if they eat them, and lilies should always be avoided.

How do I keep my cat off toxic flowers? ›

Cats have a strong distaste for anything citrus. Using either juice of a lemon, lime, or orange diluted with some water can be sprayed on the leaves of your plant to ward off any feline invasion. If you don't feel like creating your own mixture, Bodhi Dog makes a Bitter Lemon Spray.

There is no such thing as flower bouquets cats won't eat. You can't ever know for sure if your cat will take a taste or not. So, if in doubt, keep flowers well out of reach or dispose of them if necessary.

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.

The plant: Snake plant

However, it's toxic to cats, warns the ASCPA. Snake plants contain chemical compounds called saponins, which result in feline nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if consumed or chewed on. What to do: Like aloe, snake plant is milder in toxicity to cats.

Their sweet scent may attract cats over for a taste. Most often find out quickly that the flower is not that yummy, however, a few end up with a penchant for eating the roses. The good news is that roses by themselves are not toxic to cats, says Dr. Maureen K.

Mortality is between 50-100%. Early, aggressive intervention (suspecting ingestion or prompt treatment when clinical signs are first noted) results in a 90% survival rate. So during this romantic, flower-giving time of year, please make sure your Valentine knows to stay away from lilies if you are a cat lover. What?

If lily consumption is noticed and treated quickly, the cat may survive. If even one day goes by without treatment, the outcome becomes very dire, with most cats dying of kidney failure within days. Many people are unaware of how deadly these common plants can be to a cat.

Your veterinarian may administer activated charcoal to absorb the toxin. They will also likely be hospitalized and receive intravenous fluids and supportive care. With early diagnosis and treatment, most cats recover from lily toxicity if their kidney levels normalize after 48 to 72 hours.

GERANIUMS: The leaves, stem, roots and especially the flower of the scented geranium contain essential oils, linalool and geraniol, which are toxic to cats and dogs. Ingesting any part of the plant can cause vomiting, reduced appetite and depression.

What plants are safe if cats eat them? ›

The leaves, stem, roots, and especially the flower of the scented geranium contain essential oils, linaool and geranoil, which are toxic to felines, as well as other domestic animals like horses and dogs.

As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.

Orange and lemon peels (cats dislike citrus smells), cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, & mustard oil.

Catnip. A member of the mint family, catnip is a favorite with about 50% of the cat population. A member of the mint family, catnip is a favorite with about 50% of the cat population.

The answer may be unsatisfyingly simple. Wild felines regularly ingest plants, and it seems to be a behavior that our domestic cats have inherited from their ancestors. Many cats eat plants because they enjoy the taste. Others consume plants because they are bored, stressed, or attracted by the movement of the plants.

Begonia: A popular and versatile summer plant, these will cause intense burning and irritation in the mouth if eaten by dogs or cats. Ingestion will also cause excessive drooling, vomiting and possibly make your pet have difficulty swallowing.

Is Lavender Safe for Cats? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) cautions that lavender plants are toxic for cats as well as dogs and horses. Cats lack the ability to digest two natural substances found in lavender: linalool and linalyl acetate.

Mix equal parts of vinegar and water, and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Add a few drops of castile soap to bind the water and vinegar and mix again. Spray down your plant's pot or lightly mist the leaves. Be careful with the proportions to avoid harming your cats and plants.

How do I get my cat to leave my plants alone? ›

Roses (Rosa sp.), like any flower, can cause mild stomach upset but aren't incredibly toxic to pets. However, watch out for thorns! These may potentially cause trauma to the mouth and to the paws.

“Cats, like other animals and young children, learn about their surroundings by putting things in their mouths,” he says. “The cat likes the taste of the plant and therefore eats it.” Another behavior-based reason that might attract your cat to a certain plant is movement.

Some cats are attracted to flowers for their taste or texture. “Cats might go for certain plants because they enjoy the mouth feel,” says Dr. Cathy Lund, a veterinarian with City Kitty Veterinary Care for Cats in Providence, Rhode Island.

The most common toxic indoor plants are dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane), philodendron (Philodendron), and aloe vera (Aloe Vera). These plants contain a chemical called calcium oxalate raphides or “raphides,” which can cause mouth, throat, nose, eyes, and skin irritation in humans.

Within minutes of ingesting any part of the plant, they might become lethargic or begin to vomit. As the substance begins to affect their body, these signs worsen. If you suspect lilies have poisoned your cat, speak to your vet immediately – emergency care increases the likelihood of your pet making a full recovery.

All parts of the lily plant are toxic to cats. The leaves, flower, pollen, and stem all contain a toxin that causes acute kidney failure. Cats can ingest enough of toxin by grooming pollen off themselves, biting leaves and flowers (swallowing is not necessary), or by the actual swallowing of any part of the lily plant.

Toxic to both cats and dogs are Tulips, Azalea, Bird of Paradise, Aloe, Begonias, Baby's Breath, and Amaryllis. Members of the Lilium genus, including Easter and stargazer lilies, can cause serious kidney problems if ingested by cats.

Are Japanese show lilies toxic to cats? ›

Toxicity to pets

Even small ingestions (such as less than 1-2 petals or leaves) – even the pollen or water from the vase – may result in severe, acute kidney failure. If you suspect your cat has ingested any part of one of these lilies, bring your cat (and the plant) immediately to a veterinarian for medical care.

If eaten, it may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Warning: Seek medical attention if exposure results in symptoms.

Unlike true lilies, Alstroemeria blossoms have no fragrance and their pollen does not stain. Colors: A wide range including reds, pinks, oranges, bronzes, yellows/greens, purples and ivories. Colors may be solid or bicolor, and the inner petals may have streaks or speckles of one or more additional hues.

Alstroemerias need full sun to flower well and should be grown in reasonably fertile and well drained soil. Choose a sheltered spot, ideally away from prevailing winds, and add organic matter to the soil before planting. In pots, use a peat-free.

Eating small amounts of plants or grass may be normal for cats. But the entire lily plant (leaf, pollen, and flower) is poisonous to them, according to Melanie McLean, a veterinarian at FDA.

Is Lavender Safe for Cats? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) cautions that lavender plants are toxic for cats as well as dogs and horses. Cats lack the ability to digest two natural substances found in lavender: linalool and linalyl acetate.

Supposedly, this happens because either the cat is attracted to the milk scent on a baby's breath, or it is simply jealous that the owners are giving more attention to the baby.

Are Sunflowers Poisonous to Cats? These yellow-petaled flowers with a brown interior disc are cheerful and yield edible seeds. Sunflowers are also generally considered non-toxic for cats, but veterinarians say they may cause minor stomach upset or vomiting if ingested.

“Lilies” that are not considered toxic to cats (because they are not true lilies) include the following: Peruvian lily, sand lily, corn lily, ginger lily, sego/mariposa lily, canna lily, Saint Bernard's lily, red palm lily, resurrection lily, and Scarborough lily.

Safe lilies include peace lilies, Peruvian lilies and calla lilies (however calla lilies can cause irritation to the mouth and esophagus if ingested).